Photos of 1912 tornado damage In Syracuse weather history there
have certainly been many memorable storms. In more recent memory
there is the Labor Day storm but for others it is the Blizzard
of ‘66 that sets the standard. However, before either of those
storms there was the Longbranch Tornado of 1912. This Saturday
will be the 100th anniversary of this storm that killed 5
people. The storm is called the Longbranch Tornado because much
of the damage was caused near the present day Longbranch Park.
Back then, Longbranch Park and the whole northwest end of
Onondaga Lake was much different from what is there now.
Resorts, dance halls, hotels and amusement parks ringed that
part of the lake. The amusement park at Longbranch was known for
its roller coaster and carousel. In fact, the park’s carousel is
currently housed at the Destiny USA mall. In the days before the
widespread use of automobiles, trolleys would transport people
from the city of Syracuse to Longbranch for a day of rest and
recreation. On Sunday, Se