The deadliest single tornado to strike Kansas City metro area was on May 20, 1957.  An F-4 or F-5 by today's standards left a path 71 miles long from Williamsburg, Kansas through Martin City, Missouri into Ruskin Heights up to Raytown (Knob Town), Missouri.  Six died in Kansas.  7:37 pm it entered Missouri.  Martin City suffered damage.  7:48 pm Ruskin Heights heard the sound of freight trains passing in the sky.

Homes were destroyed, over 531 people were injured and 33 died in Missouri and six in Kansas that night.  The death eventually climbed to 39, some sources reported 44 as a result of the tornado.  Trees were ripped apart along with homes.  Ruskin Heights Shopping Center was devastated.  A car hit the top of the water tower and a 24-year old mother and 7-year old daughter died.  Ruskin High School and Junior High School were destroyed except the gymnasium arching beams and the word R-U-I-N left on the remaining wall from RUSKIN.  (see pictures and captions courtesy of "Twilight Twister" publication by Agnes Ann Turnbaugh ©1977 all rights owned by Agnes Ann Turnbaugh Trust) Principal Blaine Steck was in Ruskin High School at the time, along with Mrs. Alta Guyll, the school nurse, and Mr. George Kildow, the school janitor.  Mr. Steck dug his way  out of the rubble looking for the others, but did not find them.  Sadly they died buried near the front of the school entrance.

The area looked like a war zone.  H. Roe Bartle, Kansas City Mayor, called the Kansas City Police on and off-duty into the area.  Eventually the National Guard came and martial law was declared.  That stopped or slowed some from entering to see if their families were alive, but kept looters out of the area.  Overall people helped rescue others.  Strangers drove people to hospitals, other homes and safe havens.  The shock and pain felt that night was numbed by the power of the vortex vacuum of the tornado.  Car horns and lights from demolished cars filled the night with an eerie aftermath.  People looked for spouses and children that had been grabbed by the tornado.  Carolyn Glenn Brewer has gathered a haunting account of that night in her book, "Caught in the Path".  People recall that night in a moving compilation of stories.

Ruskin homeowners rebuilt and reclaimed their homes in the months to come.  A year later, on May 18, 1958, the Ruskin Heights Monument was dedicated to those who died.  Trees were planted behind the monument for each fatality.

Many people who have lived here all of their lives did not know what was the significance of the monument, or how the Ruskin Tornado was such an event.  The train that comes on the Kansas City Southern lines blows it's horn to let people know it is a train and not a tornado.  For years people were afraid of that roaring sound. On May 19th we will gather to rededicate our monument, remember those who died and their families in a Memorial Service, and have forums with special guests speakers to celebrate how far we have grown.  We hope that you will come share this event.

(Pictures and captions courtesy of "Twilight Twister" publication from The Jackson County Advocate by Agnes AnnTurnbaugh ©1977 All rights owned by the Agnes Turnbaugh Trust.  Twilight Twister is available from Aggie Ann Turnbaugh directly at P.O. Box 857 Grandview, MO 64030.)

  Last updated on Jun 11,  2007

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