Today in Smithsonian History: August 21, 1857

Map by Increase Allen Lapham (1811-1875), showing the path of a tornado through the counties of Columbia, Dodge and Washington in Wisconsin sent to the Smithsonian Meteorological Project. The tornado had passed over the eastern portion of Wisconsin on August 21, 1857.

August 21, 1857 A tornado passes through the counties of Columbia, Dodge and Washington in Wisconsin on August 21, 1857.  The tornado was observed and tracked by  Increase Allan Lapham of Milwaukee, a volunteer for the Smithsonian’s Meteorological Project. The Project, begun by first Smithsonian Secretary Joseph Henry, used a countrywide network of volunteer observers to record climate information and send it to the Smithsonian via the growing telegraph network.  The project existed from 1846-1870 and led to the founding of the National Weather Service.

Courtesy of Smithsonian Institution Archives

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