On April 27, 1942, while the world was caught up in World War II, a tornado swept along Pryor Creek’s main street from the western edge of the business district to the eastern edge of the city, destroying nearly every building and causing extensive damage to the residential section. The storm killed 52 people, according to the U.S. Weather Bureau, but The Associated Press set the total at 60 two days after the storm. Many more – around 400 – were injured, and churches and other local buildings were pressed into service as makeshift hospitals.
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Destruction caused by the tornado.
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“Searching the Ruins for Tornado Victims.”
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“Baptist Church after Tornado.”
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“Chevrolet Garage After the Tornado.”
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“Safeway Store After the Tornado.”
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“A Tornado, not the Japs, did this to Pryor, Okla.”
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“The Wrecked Safeway and Theatre Bldgs.”
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“Work of Tornado.”
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“Fair Sample of Main Street as Tornado Passed.”
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“Main Street, a Jumbled Mass of Wreckage.”
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“Fair Sample of Main Street as Tornado Passed.”
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Intersection of Highway 69 and Highway 20.
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“After the Storm.”
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“The Destructive Tornado from a Distance.”
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Chevy dealership.
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor, Oklahoma.
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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“West End of Pryor Okla. after Tornado.”
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“Home & Business Gone with the Wind. Pryor, Okla.”
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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“Homes & Business Gone with the Wind. Pryor, Okla.”
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“Scene in Eastern Part of Pryor, Okla. after Tornado.”
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“Dirty Work and the Cross Roads. Acres of Homes Demolished by Tornado. Pryor, Okla.”
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“Tornado Destruction at a Trailer Camp. Pryor, Okla.”
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Trailer House Wrecked by Tornado
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942
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Pryor Tornado: April 27, 1942