This article originally was published on Jan. 14, 2021.
Bundled up in coats, gloves, and scarfs, Evansvillians across the city are working hard to ward off the cold chill that’s settled in the River City. That said, winters lately have been milder than most. And things could be a lot worse — more than 100 years ago, our ancestors were in the worst snowstorm in Evansville history.
Lasting from December 1917 to January 1918, snowfall in Southern Indiana hit record highs. Spurred on by freezing temperatures, 41 inches of snow fell in January alone. The Ohio River froze over, streets closed, and Evansville slowly began to resemble an icy ghost town.
In this photo from Willard Library, a group of unnamed residents can be seen standing against snowbanks that rise far above their heads on the 200 block of Main Street. These piles of solid frozen snow were created after residents made attempts to shovel streets and sidewalks.
