Heat in Lincoln this week is comparable to Great Depression
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – During the Great Depression, Lincoln recorded some of the highest temperatures of the city’s history.
And through Thursday, we’ll be experiencing temperatures dangerously close, if not surpassing, those records.
“Then as now, this summer around the nation, it was hot, it was dry and things were burning,” said David Bristow, editor of publications at History Nebraska.
Courtesy: History Nebraska
During the end of July in 1936, the hottest temperature ever for Lincoln was recorded: at least 114 degrees.
That year, Lincoln had 41 days over 100 degrees, lasting well into August.
People got “creative,” Bristow said, blowing fans across their ice blocks and using car radiators as a source of cooler air.
“If you wanted to go someplace cool, you could go down to Gold’s department store,” Bristow said. “They made that a big selling point to come not only to shop but to see the science and technology exhibit, sponsored by Frigidaire, because they’ll also sell you a refrigerator.”
But now, almost 90 years later, we could be passing those temperatures.
“1936 was just a legendarily hot year,” Bristow said. “People talked about it for many years after. Many years in the ’30s were bad, but especially ‘36. Nowadays, it seems like every few years, if not every summer, we’re setting new records.”
Bristow said the difference now is people won’t say, “We’re going to remember this summer for decades to come.”
Because next summer could be just as hot, if not hotter.
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