April 4 - August 1, 2020
“On Tuesday, April 10, 1979, just after 6:00 p.m. a massive tornado struck the city of Wichita Falls. Leaving a mile-wide path of devastation through the city’s southwestern edge, the storm caused 46 deaths, injured approximately 3,200 people and destroyed over 20,000 homes. According to sources of the time, property damage was placed at $250 million dollars. Volunteers and public assistance poured in from across the nation. Within two years, 90 percent of damaged or lost homes were rebuilt. This series of photographs titled Aftermath by Frank Gohlke documents the devastation the day after the storm and the city as it appeared a year later. His work offers a vivid testimony to both the destructive power of the storm and the determination of the city and its people to rebuild.
In the museum’s annual tradition of honoring the resiliency, humility and fortitude of residents who experienced the 1979 tornado, our collection of Frank Gohlke’s photographs have been repackaged into accessible online formats, as the “City that Faith Built” takes on another challenge: COVID-19.
What do you remember about that day or what do these images communicate to you? The Museum invites you to reflect, revisit the collection, and share your comments.”
Wichita Falls Museum of Art at MSU Texas
2 Eureka Circle
Wichita Falls, 76308 TX
(940) 397-8900
Get directions