#257 Frozen In Time: The Great Blizzard of 1888

Published: March 7, 2018, 8 p.m.

This year marks the 130th anniversary of one of the worst storms to ever wreak havoc upon New York City, the now-legendary mix of wind and snow called\xa0the Great Blizzard of 1888.\n\nThe battering snow-hurricane of 1888, with its freezing temperatures and crazy drifts three stories high, was made worse by the condition of New York\u2019s transportation and communication systems, all completely unprepared for 36 hours of continual snow.\n\nThe storm struck on Monday, March 11, 1888, but many thousands attempted to make their way to work anyway, not knowing how severe the storm would be.\xa0It would be the worst commute in New York City history.\xa0Fallen telephone and telegraph poles became a hidden threat under the quickly accumulating drifts.\n\nElevated trains were frozen in place, their passengers unable to get out for hours.\xa0Many died simply trying to make their way back home on foot, including\xa0Roscoe Conkling, a power broker of New York\u2019s Republican Party.\n\nBut there were moments of amusement too. Saloons thrived, and actors trudged through to the snow in time for their performances,\xa0And for\xa0P.T. Barnum,\xa0the show must always go on!\n\nThis is a re-release of a show we recorded back in 2013. We think the comparisons to Hurricane Sandy that were made in that show feel even more relevant today.\n\nSupport the show: https://www.patreon.com/boweryboys