The Monster Blizzard of 1913 and Giveaway

Blogger: Amber Schamel

Denver 1913 Blizzard
Used by permission of Denver Public Library

Colorado is known for lots of snow, but the blizzard of 1913 was not our regular winter blizzard. In fact, it still holds the record yet today. I had a great time researching the event for my latest book. It was so much fun to research a city I grew up near and knew so well to see how it looked 100 years ago.

December 1913 decided to make a grand entrance. A light snow and rain began to fall on the 1st but left only an inch or two on December 2nd. The storm died down on the morning of the 3rd, and everyone thought it was just the typical storm. But in the late afternoon, the clouds thickened. Renewed with unforeseen vigor, the blizzard let loose during the night of December 3. The massive storm system deposited over 45.7 inches of snow in a matter of two or three days. But the biggest problem in Colorado is not merely the amount of snow, but the blowing winds that create monster drifts that could engulf livestock, cars, houses, and nearly anything in its way.

A boy on Skis
Used by permission of Denver Public Library

The snow was heavy and wet dumping what is estimated to be 38,887,619,004 pounds of water. Structures collapsed, all transportation came to a screeching halt, and survival became priority. The greatest concern was for the poor population that wouldn’t have enough coal to keep warm and couldn’t get out to find more.

Georgetown, Colorado was hit the hardest by the blizzard with 86 inches of snow.

But even with all that disruption, Coloradans didn’t lose their sense of humor. Denver Post Headlines claimed “Shimmering White Stops Activity and Everyone Jollifies!” Apparently somebody was jollifying, because they’d built a snowman in the driver’s seat of someone’s stranded vehicle, making for one of the cutest pictures in the historical record.

Used by permission of the
Denver Public Library

One of the most interesting things I discovered during my research of this event was the snow removal process. Unfortunately, Denver during 1913 had no supply of diesel plow trucks as they do today. So they had to employ a different method.

Using wagons to move snow.
Used by permission of Denver Public Library

Since the entire city was shut down, the tramway hired any man who would work to come dig out the snow. Men swarmed the streets, shoveling snow into barrels, dumping into wagons, and hauling outside the city or to any open space that could accommodate the slush. 


You can see the whole collection of pictures on the Denver Public Library Website.
 
In the long run, the blizzard made a huge positive impact on the Colorado economy. Skiing was just coming into fashion when the storm hit, and the massive amounts of snow in Colorado made it a prime place to learn. The 1913 blizzard is credited with kicking off the ski industry in the state.

The historic blizzard plays a big part in my newest book, Solve by Christmas which just released yesterday! Click here to check it out on Amazon. 
AND I'll be giving away one ebook copy to someone who leaves me a comment today! Tell me about the most extreme weather you've experienced for your chance to win! 
 *****
 Amber Schamel writes riveting stories that bring HIStory to life. She has a passion for travel, history, books and her Savior. This combination results in what her readers call "historical fiction at its finest".  Her title, Dawn of Liberty, was awarded the 2017 CSPA Book of the Year award in Historical Fiction. She lives in Colorado and spends half her time volunteering in the Ozarks. Amber is a proud member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Association. Visit her online at www.AmberSchamel.com/ and download a FREE story by subscribing to her Newsletter!