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Local History

Heavy rain falls downtown

"While sections of Springfield sweltered under a burning sun yesterday afternoon, pedestrians in the business district were scurrying for shelter in a rainstorm which was termed by W.W. Talbot, local observer, as 'strictly local'."

"For 20 minutes a heavy rain fell through the business district, while only light rains were reported in adjacent sections. More distant parts of the city had none.

"At the federal building the weather station records showed one-quarter of an inch of rain, while a few blocks north at the baseball park there was only a light shower for a few seconds. The Modern Woodmen celebrations at Doling Park was not marred by rain in any way.

"A light shower was reported in the neighborhood of the State Teachers College, while residents south of Grand Avenue said there was no rain." Leader September 6, 1927

The photo is of Mrs. Charles Williams and her son George in a 1952 downpour on the square. The image is part of the From the Darkroom collection and is courtesy of the Springfield News-Leader.

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