On This Date in Minnesota History: June 8

June 8, 1920 – Nearly 200 high school-aged girls fled in their nigh clothes from Lutheran Ladies Seminary in Red Wing, Minn., at 2 a.m. after a fire broke out in the washroom on the third floor, spreading rapidly and destroying the entire structure.

The buildings were located on a hill and low water pressure handicapped the firemen so that they were unable to save anything. All the girls lost their belongings and narrowly escaped with their lives.

The loss to the building is estimated at more than a quarter million dollars. Today was commencement day at the institution and scores of parents from all parts of the country were there. Most of the girls lost their commencement outfits, turning a joyous day into one of tragedy.

The Bemidji Daily Pioneer; “Lutheran Seminary Destroyed at Red Wing. Fire Breaks Out at 2 A. M. Today and Makes a Clean Sweep. Loss Estimated Nearly At Quarter Million. Two Hundred Girls of High School Age Fled in Night Clothing.”; June 08, 1920; p. 1.

Lutheran Seminary
http://www.lakesnwoods.com/RedWingGallery.htm

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