Earthquake of '49

Stadium sways

Pudd (Johnson) Gingrich and I were having lunch in the courtyard when all of a sudden we heard and felt a rumbling.

We turned around and saw Stadium swaying back and forth as if it was a palm tree.

Puddy and I raced to the arches of the entrance to the building until it ended.

It was an unforgettable experience.

We heard later on that day that the kids on the 3rd and 4th floors were crawling along on the waving floors to get out.

This great event is called the 1949 Tacoma-Olympia earthquake. I think I remember it being a 7.0 quake.

Because of the "Quake" the bowl was condemned.

Margy (Clinton) Kemby
Class of 1950

Washington Division of Geology and Earth Resources:
Where has Earthquake Damage Occurred in Washington State?

USGS:
Earthquake History of Washington

HistoryLink.org:
Earthquake hits Puget Sound area on April 13, 1949

April 13 is Marvin Alan Klegman Day the anniversary of the 1949 earthquake.

Marvin was an 11-year-old patrol boy who was killed at Lowell Elementary School during the earthquake when he protected 6-year-old student, Kelcy Allen, from falling bricks.


You can see the Larry Anderson sculpture at Lowell school.

Webucator Sept 12, 2003:
Marvin Alan Klegman memorial statue dedicated

RainerRedCross.org:
Marvin Alan Klegman Memorial Award

Memories@CelebrateStadium.com

CelebrateStadium.com