Charleston, IL: 1910s Aerial Photo

(Satellite)

Jacob Hortenstine posted
Charleston Illinois
Bill Edrington Big Four main line is in the lower right corner. The Clover Leaf passenger depot's roof looks like it was damaged. Charleston was hit by a tornado in the 1910s, and the nearby Big Four depot was destroyed and had to be completely rebuilt.
Paul Nichols Tornado was May 26 1917.
Tom Watson I believe this is from the big fire of March 1911, reason being the Ice Cream factory and Ice House were totally destroyed by the 1917 tornado and they are standing in this photo. The fire was finally brought under control at the Clover Leaf Depot because the building walls were brick and it had a slate roof that slowed the progress of the fire enough for firefighters to gain control. Only the walls of the Depot were left standing. It was reported that hundreds of people came to Charleston by train to watch the fire and that thousands of photos were taken. In my searching I have only found 3 good photos of the fire and its aftermath. This makes number 4. Thank you for posting this great photo.