June 28, the almost entire destruction of the village of Viroqua (3 illustrations): 1. Total destruction of the Methodist Church; 2. Ruins of the North-Western Times Printing Office, and residence of J.A. Somerby; 3. General appearance of the country after the tornado, showing the track of the storm, and its terrible effects
During the afternoon hours of June 28, 1865, a violent and deadly tornado would devastate areas in Vernon County, Wisconsin, primarily the city of Viroqua. The tornado would track at least 23 miles through Vernon County, where it would cause $200,000 USD (1865) in damages, claim 17 lives and injure at least 100 more. The tornado was one of the first deadly tornadoes recorded in Wisconsin, and as of 2025, remains the 4th deadliest tornado in Wisconsin state history. Although the tornado is unrated, most experts commonly agree on a rating of F4 on the Fujita scale. [1][2]
The Viroqua tornado was likely part of a localized tornado outbreak, consisting of at least 3 other tornadoes, 2 in Minnesota, and one in Wisconsin, however the Viroqua tornado was the only deadly tornado that day. [2]
Tornado Summary
At approximately 3:30 PM CST, A tornado would touch down near New Albin, Iowa, and would cross the Mississippi River near Bad Axe City, south of Genoa, Wisconsin. The tornado would track east-northeastward, initially only uprooting trees. The tornado would, obliterate 3 farms around three miles west of Viroqua as it intensified before destroying 3 more houses in the immediate vicinity. As the tornado approached Viroqua, the funnel was accompanied by a "branch whirl holding on like a parasite.". The tornado would strike Viroqua at violent intensity, initially sweeping two homes before annihilating the southern third of the city. Multiple vortex "branches" and "eddies" were observed as the tornado passed through the town. "Death rode upon that sulphury siroc" as "the angry elements at the beck of an invisible power lay waste the fairest portion of the village."
Over 40 homes, churches, and barns were swept away while a similar number of other structures suffered significant damage. Debris from countless homes, timber, equipment, and other parts of structures filled the air as the tornado ravaged through the city, with the aftermath being described as it "appeared as though the Union Army's combined artillery had cannonaded and bombarded them for hours". Large timbers were thrown great distances, Shingles, a silk dress, a letter, and other papers were found up to 60 miles away from Viroqua, trees around a foot in diameter were "twisted as a man would twist a withe", and other young and sturdy trees were blown down and twisted into every imaginable shape.
The three-story local newspaper office would suffer significant damage with the west end being with the west end being lifted into the air and demolished. Debris from the newspaper office would be thrown with extreme force, one siding board was thrown into a house located 250 yards southeast of the office, and behind thick grove, penetrating into the upper floor and extending 1.5 feet into a room. A large two story house was lifted into the air around 50 ft, landing a few rods south of its original location. A mother and child were inside the home, the child was left unharmed by the tornado, while the mother sustained serious but not life-threatening injuries. A large rock estimated to weight around 10 tons was torn from a bluff and was moved several feet. A pitchfork was carried half a mile, and was found with its handle embedded into an oak stump. The tornado would claim 10 lives in Viroqua, and would leave the southern third of the city completely destroyed. William S. Purdy, who had served as state senator representing Vernon County in 1863, lost his home in the tornado. A servant girl who worked in his home was killed. His family only survived by lying on the ground as the house was lifted from its foundation.[3]
After leaving Viroqua, the tornado would continue tracking east-northeast at an estimated 60 MPH as it approached the Green Schoolhouse, around 1.5 miles east of Viroqua, where 7 students and 1 teacher were in attendance. The building was lifted into the air "and dashed to ground". The teacher was found horribly disfigured, succumbing to her injuries around an hour or 2 later. All six schoolchildren would be either instantly killed, or would succumb to their injuries later that night or the next day.
The tornado would continue eastward, destroying more homes, farms and a sawmill before weakening and lifting 6 miles east of Viroqua. In total, 17 people were killed and over 100 people were injured, with 22 of being serious injuries. Damages were estimated at $200,000 USD (1865). After the Viroqua tornado lifted, the supercell would drop another tornado which would cause minor damage near Rockton.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
Fatalities
17 People would tragically be killed by the Viroqua Tornado. 10 of the fatalities would occur on First Street (modern day South Street), and the remaining 7 would occur at the Green Schoolhouse. All 17 fatalities from the tornado, along with their ages, are listed below. [5]
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