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30th Anniversary of the 1974 Xenia Tornado
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On April 4, 1974 a F5 tornado (the most intense tornado, reaching speeds of over 261 miles per hour) hit Xenia, Ohio. It touched down at 4:30 p.m. nine miles southwest of Xenia and entered town at 4:40 p.m. Of 25,000 residents, 33 were killed and 1600 were injured. More than 1400 buildings were damaged or destroyed and total estimated damages exceeded $400 million. Xenia was declared a national disaster area, and the American Red Cross, as well as several hundred Ohio National Guard troops, moved into Xenia for several weeks to assist with the rescue and clean up. The Xenia tornado was the deadliest and most damaging of storms that comprised the "Super Outbreak" that occurred April 3 and 4, 1974, when 148 storms hit thirteen states.

This exhibit features the collections of the Ohio Historical Society, the Greene County Historical Society and the Greene County Public Library.

Cherry's Furniture Store Tornado Clean-Up Photograph

This photograph shows crews cleaning up debris at Cherry's Furniture Store.

Schmidt House Before and After Xenia Tornado Photographs

These before and after the tornado photographs document the Schmidt House in Xenia.

Xenia After the Tornado Aerial Photograph

This aerial view of Xenia after the tornado documents the extent of the destruction.

Xenia Carnegie Library after 1974 Tornado Photograph

This photograph shows the Carnegie Library (the building on the left) after the tornado. Following the tornado, the community decided that the cost to renovate the old Carnegie building was too high and the building too small. A new Greene County Public Library building was approved and ownership of the Carnegie building was transferred to the county.

Xenia Green Vinyl Bookbag

This green vinyl bookbag with black woven handles is one of many that students used to transport books and supplies after tornado. Four Xenia city schools were either destroyed or so severely damaged that students and teachers had to be temporarily relocated.

Xenia High School Before and After Tornado Photographs

Two photographs show Xenia High School before and after the tornado.

Xenia McKinley Elementary School Before and After Tornado Photographs

McKinley Elementary School in Xenia was virtually destroyed by the tornado.

Xenia Tornado Lumber

This piece of lumber was found on Marshall Drive in Xenia, Ohio after the devastating tornado of 1974. A quarter was driven into the wood by the force of the tornado.

Xenia Lives Bumper Sticker

The bold red letters on a white background on this bumper sticker dramatically proclaim "Xenia Lives." Aldine Printing Company of Xenia printed and distributed these bumper stickers following the tornado.

Xenia Tornado Aftermath Photographs

These five photographs show Xenia, Ohio, after the 1974 tornado. The first photograph shows the destruction at a Kroger grocery store.

Budweiser Drinking Water Cans

The Budweiser Company in Cincinnati provided these drinking water cans for victims of the 1974 tornado. Water service was interrupted to the city, so the company sent unlabeled beer cans filled with water for the relief effort.

Billie Cummings Xenia Tornado Personal Account

Billie Cummings wrote this personal account of the 1974 Xenia Tornado. Cummings was at work at the Greene County Library when the tornado struck. She discusses the condition of the town after the tornado, and writes about searching for family members.

Bernice Heinz Xenia Tornado Personal Account

Bernice Heinz wrote this personal account of the 1974 Xenia tornado. Heinz was at work at the Greene County Library when the tornado struck. She discusses the condition of the town and her home after the tornado. She also mentions President Richard Nixon's visit to the Xenia YMCA.

National Guard Armory Following Xenia Tornado Photographs

The National Guard Unit Company A, 166th Infantry assisted in cleaning up and security after the tornado, despite damage to their building.

Richard Nixon in Xenia Photographs

President Richard Nixon toured Xenia following the tornado and declared it a disaster area, clearing the way for federal funds to assist with rebuilding.

Wilberforce University After Tornado Photographs

Wilberforce University also experienced extensive damage from the tornado.

Xenia Tornado Damage Photographs

Two photographs document tornado damage around Xenia.

Xenia Tornado Path of Destruction Photograph

This United States Air Force photograph documents the path of destruction left by the tornado.