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History and Genealogy Site

~ State Data and Events ~

Important incidents and occurrences that are particularly significant, interesting, exciting, or unusual in the history of New York State.

ALL DATA ON THIS SITE IS FREE TO VIEW.
[though we regret that we do not have time to perform personal research]

Lightening – On Tuesday evening, the 26^th ultima, a violent thunder storm passed over the towns of Broadalbin and Galway, New York. In the latter town a barn belonging to Mr. John Dean, situated but a short distance from his house, was struck by lightening and entirely consumed, together with a considerable quantity of wool, flax, and farming utensils, to a considerable amount. It was with much difficulty his house and other buildings were saved from the devouring element. How long will people neglect to place the certain and necessary defenses against lightning upon their buildings? A trifling expense would ensure not only the buildings, but the lives of such persons as may happen to be sheltered in them; and it is certainly deserving of more attention than it commonly receives. [submitted by Nancy Piper]

Taken from the Chicago Tribune
March 3, 1887
Earthquake on Long Island

The Shock Distinctly Felt in Several Villages
Near the South Coast

NEW YORK, March 2. – An earthquake shock was felt on the south side of Long Island about 4:30 o’clock this afternoon.  Windows on Fire Island rattled, and the observatory was shaken, the vibrations lasting several seconds. Babylon and villages west to Jamaica report having felt the shock.

At Far Rockaway about the middle of the afternoon a low, rumbling sound, followed by a distinct tremor of the earth which shook many buildings, was noticed, and at the time it was supposed to be caused by the firing of heavy cannon at sea.

In Babylon, L.I., the shock of the earthquake was very perceptibly felt between 4:15 and 4:30 in the afternoon. Many buildings swayed slightly. It is reported that some of the timbers in the Presbyterian church steeple were displaced. Few persons, although many felt the shock, knew at the time that it was an earthquake. Since the fact became generally known alarm is expressed. The shock lasted a few seconds.

No earthquake shock was felt in New York. In the office of the Western Union Telegraph Company, where seismic disturbances are most readily detected by the delicate instruments in use, no trace of a shaking was felt. The signal-service station on top of the Equitable Insurance Building had no information on the earthquake until the news was taken by inquirers.

On Fire Island, at 4:18 p.m., several earthquake shocks were felt, lasting four seconds, causing the marine observatory to tremble violently and windows to rattle. Keegan, on duty at the time, thinking it might be a signal of distress fired from a vessel, immediately began to search the ocean with a telescope, but failed to discover anything. The shock appeared to come from the ocean and pass on in a northwesterly direction. Keegan ascertained that the shock was also felt at Broslau, Morrick, Baldwins, South Oyster Bay, on the south side of Long Island, between Babylon and East New York. As far as could be ascertained no damage was done. The sea was smooth and a moderate breeze was blowing from the south. The sky had a very hazy appearance.

New York residents attending Eastman College in Chicago, IL in 1865-1866
 

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