That question must have been asked a lot at this time 70 years ago.
The heat wave that hit our area from July 5-18, 1936 is legendary. Six record highs from that period still stand today, which you will notice when you watch the 10 p.m. weather statistics.
All of those 14 days had temperatures above 90 degrees. Nine days were at or above 100 degrees, including 108 on July 14. The average high was 101.
Several things brought on the heat wave, according to The National Weather Service in La Crosse. A series of droughts in the early 1930s parched the earth and killed vegetation. ìWithout the vegetation and soil moisture, the Plains acted as a furnace,î the Weather Service states in an article called The Heat Wave of July 1936. ìThe climate of that region took on desert qualities, accentuating its capacity to produce heat.î
There was also a strong ridge of high pressure that set up over the West Coast, funneling heat northward over Minnesota.
The Caledonia Argus had quite a bit about the heat wave.
ìOne of the severest and most damaging heat waves and drought that this country has experienced in years has the agricultural states in its throes and although it has already reached its peak it is hard to say how long it will continue,î The Argus editor wrote on Friday, July 10.
That same issue has a front page story headlined, ìSEVERE HEAT CLAIMS VICTIM,î about the death of John Flamming, 72. ìHis death was attributed to heart trouble aggravated by the intense heat wave,î the article stated.
The next week the Argus editor wrote, ìWe have had heat waves before and if this world continues to go round and round we will have many more heat waves, but they will have to go some to beat the one which has just run its course.î That guy was a prophet.
That same issue ran another a front page article headlined ìFARM HAND AT MABEL FATAL VICTIM OF HEAT TUESDAY.î It told about Oscar K. Wolfe, a 55-year old man who died at the Spring Grove hospital. ìComplaining of a severe headache when he returned from shocking grain on the Burton Spande farm, six miles northeast of Mabel, he was rushed to the hospital,î the article states. He went to the field that morning and was dead by 11 a.m. The temperature hit 108 that day. Can you imagine shocking grain in that heat?
Thatís the thing about the 1936 heat wave. People didnít know about deadliness of heat stroke. Not to say that they didnít have common sense or take hot weather seriously. But my bet is that we are more aware now of the danger of over-heating. Cory Stringerís death in 2001 was the most vivid reminder of that.
Another amazing thing about the 1936 heat wave is that there was no air conditioning. Working in that kind of heat in a building today without good old AC would be unheard of today.
I mentioned the heat wave to my mother a couple weeks ago. She recalled that some people took their mattresses outside and slept there at night. Thatís hot.
The heat wave anniversary is a good time for a few reminders. Be aware of signs of overheating, such as heavy sweating, loss of appetite, nausea, or muscle cramps. If you have them or see them in someone, get to a cooler place with circulating air, remove as much clothing as you can, and cool the body down with cold water, ice, or wet wash cloths. Call 9-1-1 if you have to.
And drink plenty of water. Thatís always a good idea, but especially so with hot weather.

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Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475

E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com