The Knickerbocker Theatre located on the southwest corner of 18th Street and Columbia Road, N.W., Washington, D.C. Photo from Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress
The infamous “Knickerbocker Blizzard” of 1922 dumped 28 inches of snow on Washington, D.C. — a record that still stands today. But with the heavy snow came destruction, namely from the collapse of the flat roof of the Knickerbocker Theatre, which killed 98 people.
According to the Washington Post, the weather “had been atrocious for two days before the roof collapse. Streetcars and automobiles were stranded all around town. Shivering residents had plowed through knee-high snowdrifts to reach their jobs.”
Jan. 28, 1922, Photo from National Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress
Despite the storm’s ferocity, some residents were able to get out and enjoy the winter wonderland, as seen in photos from the era collected by the Library of Congress. As Washington prepares for another wallop of snow — at this time, predicted to be around 20 inches — enjoy more photos from the 1922 storm.
January 1922, Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress
January 1922, Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress
February 1922, Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress
January or February 1922, Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress
January 1922, Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress
January 1922, Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress
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