Tuesday, March 4th is the 100th anniversary of one of the most tragic days in Cleveland history. The Collinwood school fire cost the lives 172 students, 2 teachers, and 1 rescuer…and changed the way school building were constructed in the United States.
March 4, 1908 was a cold, clear day in Collinwood. It was Ash Wednesday.
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The majority of the families living in Collinwood were immigrants, first – or at the most – second-generation Americans from central Europe
At 5714 Sackett Avenue 14-year-old Louise, 8-year-old John, 5-year-old George, and their baby sister Emma saw their father leave for work. Then George and Emma waved goodbye to their older sister and brother as they headed off toward what was known as Lake View School. Classes began as normal – with prayer – at 8:45 on that cold March morning.
Continue reading ‘March 4, 1908 - The Collinwood School Fire’
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