1938 Tornado Photograph Collection

On September 29, 1938, five tornadoes swept through the South Carolina Lowcountry, two of which ravaged parts of downtown Charleston, causing several fatalities and injuries and two million dollars in damages. The tornadoes damaged or destroyed almost everything in its path, particularly on Market Street, Broad Street near Church Street, and State Street. As with other significant natural disasters that Charleston has experienced, scenes of the aftermath were documented by photographs. This is a collection of thirty silver gelatin photographs taken by an eyewitness, Ernest Losse. The photographs were processed by Jacobs Photo Service in Charleston. Each image measures 4.25″ x 2.25″ printed on 5″ x 3.25″ deckle-edged paper.