1930 – July 26-Aug 9, Heat Waves, esp. District of Columbia/30, MD/69, IL/24, PA/14– 175

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 1-25-2025 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

—  175  Blanchard tally based on State & DC break-outs below.

—  118  Aug 1-6. Dubois Courier, PA. “Unbroken Heat Wave Takes 118 Lives…” 8-7-1930, p.1.

—    78  Aug 5. Dubois Courier, PA. “Heat Waves.” 8-7-1930, p. 7.

—    18  Aug 6. Dubois Courier, PA. “Heat Waves.” 8-7-1930, p. 7.

Summary of Heat-Related Deaths by State

 District of Columbia (30)

Illinois                         (24)

Iowa                            (  3)

Kentucky                   (  5)

Maryland                   (69)

Massachusetts           (  1)

Minnesota                  (  4)

Missouri                     (  6)

New York                   (  8)

North Carolina          (  1)

Ohio                            (  7)

Pennsylvania              (14)

Texas                          (  3)

            Total               175

Breakout of Heat-Related Fatalities by State and Locality (where noted):

District of Col. (30)

—  30  DC, Summer.  Washington Post (Ambrose). “The heat Waves of the 1930s.” 6-21-2010. 

Illinois             (24)

—  2  July 28. AP. “Break Comes in Heat Wave…Mercury Reaches 110.” Centralia Sentinel, IL. 7-28-1930, p.1.[1]

–16  July 25-27.  AP. “34 Succumb to Excessive Heat in Past 10 Days.” Frederick Post, MD. 7-29-1930, p. 1.

            –1  Chicago. Heart failure superinduced by heat prostration; Lt. Col. Charles Roth.[2]

—  1  Aug 7. AP. “Middle West Gets Relief. Only Southern Illinois Still Swelters.” 8-7-1930.

—  4  Alton. Heat prostrations and sunstrokes according to death certificates.[3]

—  1  Latham, July 28. Heat stroke; Mrs. Lydia A. Bosher.[4]

Iowa                (  3)

—  3  State, Aug 4.  Newark Advocate, OH. “Forecasters Promise Rain.” 8-5-1930, 1.

Kentucky       (  5)

–5  Louisville, July 28. Four to heat prostration and one to heat and old age.[5]

Maryland       (69)

–69  Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.

–64  Baltimore by Aug 9. AP. “Relief Promised Next Week From Extended Drouth.” The News, Frederick MD

—  8         “  Aug 4-6. AP. “Eight Deaths in Baltimore Laid to Heat.” Salisbury Times, MD. 8-8-1930, 1.

—  1         “  Aug 6. Cumberland Evening Times, MD. “Third Heat Death Here.” 8-6-1930, p. 1.

—  6         “  July 30-Aug 1. Afro American, Balt. “Six Dead, Many Prostrated as Mercury Soars. 8-2-1930, p.1.

–49         “        by July 30. AP. “Drouth Worst Ever Recorded.” Frederick Post, 7-31-1930, p. 1.

–41         “       by July 29. AP. “Mercury Marked 106 Degrees in City Yesterday.” 7-29-1930.

—  2         “        July 29. AP. “Mercury Marked 106 Degrees in City Yesterday.” 7-29-1930.

–34         “        by July 28. AP. “34 Succumb to Excessive Heat in Past 10 Days.” 7-29-1930, p1.

–14         “        by July 25.     AP. “Three Dead in Baltimore Due To Heat Wave.” 7-26-1930.

—  5         “        July 28.    AP. “34 Succumb to Excessive Heat in Past 10 Days.” 7-29-1930, p. 1.

—  3         “        July 25.          AP. “Three Dead in Baltimore Due To Heat Wave.” 7-26-1930.

—  1  Frostburg, July 29. George Vogtman in curing room of Kelly-Springfield Tire Co. plant.[6]

—  1  Hagerstown, Aug 4. Man overcome by heat or roof, falls off and dies.[7]

—  1  Little Orleans, Town Hill Hotel, July 28. Brigadier General Culver Channing Sniffen.[8]

—  1  Lonaconing, Aug 5. James Eli Seggie, 8 months, illness “from record temperatures.”[9]

—  1  Middletown, Aug 6. Frederick Post, MD. “Deaths. Mrs. Loretta Bowlus.” 8-7-1930, p. 5.

Massachusetts ( 1)

—  1  Malden, Aug 3. Daily Northwestern, Oshkosh, WI. “Local Rains Only…” 8-4-1930, 1.

Minnesota      (   4)

–2 St. Paul, Aug 1. Evening Tribune, Albert Lea, MN. “Mercury…up…Minnesota.” 8-2-1930, 1

–1        “      Aug 8.  Lima News, OH. “Heat, Humidity Rules Nation…” 8-9-1930, p. 2.

–1  Winona, July 28. Heat exhaustion; Mrs. Viola Bennett, 76.[10]

Missouri         (   6)

—  6  St. Louis, Aug 8-9.  Lima News, OH. “Heat, Humidity Rules Nation…” 8-9-1930, 2.

New York       (   8)

—  3  NYC, Aug 6.  Decatur Daily Review, IL. “Rains Bring Heat Relief.” 8-7-1930, p. 1.

—  5  NYC, Aug 7.  Burlington Daily Times, NC. “Heat Hangs on…Today.” 8-8-1930, 1.

North Carolina (1)

—  1  Wake Co., July 26.  Burlington Daily Times, NC. “Heat Hangs on…Today.” 8-8-1930, 1.

Ohio                (   7)

— 2  Cleveland, Aug 7-8. 

— 2  Columbus, Aug 4-5. Newark Advocate, OH. “State Faces Drought…Grass Fires.” 8-5-1930.

— 1  Cuyahoga Co. Aug 4-5. Newark Advocate, OH. “State Faces Drought…Fires.” 8-5-1930, 1.

— 2  Youngstown, Aug 5.  Newark Advocate, OH. “Heat Claims Two.” 8-5-1930, p. 1.

Pennsylvania  (14)

— 1  Duquesne, Jul 28.  Altoona Mirror, PA. “Cooling Breezes Bringing Relief.” 7-29-1930, 21.

— 1  Erie, Jul 28.  Titusville Herald, PA. “Entire East Still Suffers in Heat Wave.” 7-29-1930, 1.

— 2  Johnstown. Aug 8. Heat prostration; Frank L. Dawson, 69 and William P. Jones, 65.[11]

— 1  Mt. Morris, Jul 28.  Altoona Mirror, PA. “Cooling Breezes Bringing Relief.” 7-29-1930, 21.

— 3  Philadelphia, Aug 8.  Lima News, OH. “Heat, Humidity Rules Nation…” 8-9-1930, 2.

— 1  Pittsburgh, Jul 28.  Altoona Mirror, PA. “Cooling Breezes Bringing Relief.” 7-29-1930, 21.

— 4         “       Aug 1-8. Altoona Mirror, PA. “Water Situation…Western Pa.” 8-11-1930, 14.

— 1         “       Aug 9-10. Altoona Mirror, PA. “Water Situation…Bad…Western Pa.” 8-11-1930.

Texas              (   3)

—  3 Brazoria Co., Aug 20. Mexia Weekly Herald, TX. “Three…Overcome…Heat.” 8-22-1930, 1

District of Columbia

“The summer of 1930 made headlines due to unprecedented heat and drought that caused disastrous crop failures throughout the United States. The summer of 1930 ushered in the “Dust Bowl” era of unusually hot, dry summers that plagued the U.S. during much of the 1930s.

“Washington area farmers were certainly not spared in 1930, as intense, prolonged hot spells gripped the region during late July and early August. The official temperature recorded on July 20 was 106°F, which holds the record as the highest temperature ever recorded in Washington. Unofficially, 110°F was recorded that same day on Pennsylvania Avenue and 108°F at the National Cathedral. The summer of 1930 also set the record for number of days where temperatures reached or exceeded 100°F at 11 days.

“High temperatures of over 100°F were recorded during two heat waves that occurred in late July and early August of 1930. The July heat wave high temperatures are as follows:

July 19 – 102°F
July 20 – 106°F
July 21 – 103°F
July 22 – 100°F
July 23 – 94°F
July 24 – 93°F
July 25 – 100°F
July 26 – 100°F

“The August heat wave high temperatures are as follows:

August 2 – 94°F
August 3 – 100°F
August 4 – 102°F
August 5 – 102°F
August 6 – 88°F
August 7 – 97°F
August 8 – 104°F
August 9 – 102°F

“By the end of the summer of 1930, approximately 30 deaths in Washington were blamed on the heat and thousands more had died nationwide. In Washington, there has never been another summer with a heat wave that has equaled the summer of 1930.”  (Washington Post (Ambrose).  “The heat Waves of the 1930s.” 6-21-2010.)

Kansas

“In Kansas yesterday, the heat reached its peak.  Hutchinson reported 111 and Coffeyville, 110; Emporia had 114 – an all-time record.”  (Newark Advocate, OH. “Forecasters Promise Rain.” 8-5-1930, 1.)

Maryland

July 25, AP: “Mercury Hits 103 As Heat Wave Continues. Baltimore, July 25 (AP). – Three more heat deaths were marked up in Baltimore today to bring the week’s total for the city to 14, as above normal temperatures blistered the drought parched state again after a two day partial respite. The temperature mounted to 96, but humidity kept down prostrations, but three being reported in addition to the three fatalities, and no relief was in sight, according to Weather Bureau officials. There will be no return of the past century temperatures, but the readings will hover between 93 and 100 for the next 24 hours, they reported….One of the heat deaths in Baltimore today was that of William Snowden, 72, attorney and banker and one time possibility for governor, who died at the home of his sister, Mrs. Richard S. Culbreth. He had been stricken with heat and a fall early in the week.” (Associated Press. “Three Dead in Baltimore Due To Heat Wave.” Morning Herald, Hagerstown, MD. 7-26-1930, p. 1.)

Aug 4, Morning Herald, Hagerstown, MD: “A temperature of 105 degrees was registered in the official thermometer of J. A. Miller at Keedysville at 4 p.m. yesterday, making the day of the present record-breaking summer. The hottest was July 19, when the mercury reached 107. With yesterday’s sweltering sun and no sign of rain, the present record-breaking heat wave was stretched to 19 days – 19 consecutive days on which a temperature of 90 or over has been registered. The drouth which has crippled every form of vegetation, extends much further back into the past….”

(Morning Herald, Hagerstown, MD. “Week-End Fails to Give Relief From Hot Spell.” 8-4-1930, p. 1.)

Aug 9, AP: “Baltimore – (AP) – At 1:30 p.m. Saturday [Aug 9] the temperature was 100 degrees.  Another death raised the total in the heat wave to 64.”  (Capital Times, WI. “64 Dead in Heat Wave in Baltimore.” 8-10-1930, 3.)

Texas

“Not since 1909, has it been as hot in Mexia as it was on Tuesday [Aug 19] of this week.  The thermometer went past the 105 degree mark here Tuesday for the first time in over 21 years.  On exactly the same date in 1909, the mercury registered 112 degrees, the hottest day in the history of Mexia.”  (Mexia Weekly Herald, TX. “Three…Overcome…Heat.” 8-22-1930, 1.)

Sources

Afro American, Baltimore, MD. “Six Dead, Many Prostrated as Mercury Soars. 8-2-1930, p.1. Accessed 1-25-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/baltimore-afro-american-aug-02-1930-p-1/

Alton Evening Telegraph, IL. “4 Deaths from Heat Here During July.” 8-1-1930, p. 2. Accessed 1-25-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/alton-evening-telegraph-aug-01-1930-p-2/

Altoona Mirror, PA. “Cooling Breezes Bringing Relief.” 7-29-1930, 21. Accessed at:  http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=141973692

Altoona Mirror, PA. “Water Situation Very Bad in Western Penna.” 8-11-1930, 14. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=70020272

Appleton Post-Crescent, WI. “No Rain in East.” 7-30-1930, p. 2. Accessed at:  http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=9105588

Associated Press. “34 Succumb to Excessive Heat in Past 10 Days.” The Frederick Post, MD. 7-29-1930, p. 1. Accessed 1-25-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/the-frederick-news-post-jul-29-1930-p-1/

Associated Press. “Break Comes in Heat Wave After Mercury Reaches 110.” Centralia Sentinel, IL. 7-28-1930, p.1. Accessed 1-25-2025 at:

https://newspaperarchive.com/centralia-evening-sentinel-jul-28-1930-p-1/

Associated Press. “Cool Wave Brings Relief to Midwest.” The Decatur Daily Review, IL. 7-28-1930, p.  1. Accessed 1-25-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/decatur-daily-review-jul-28-1930-p-1/

Associated Press. “Drouth Worst Ever Recorded.” Frederick Post, 7-31-1930, p. 1. Accessed 1-25-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/the-frederick-news-post-jul-31-1930-p-1/

Associated Press. “Eight Deaths in Baltimore Laid to Heat.” Salisbury Times, MD. 8-8-1930, 1. Accessed 1-25-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/salisbury-times-aug-08-1930-p-1/

Associated Press. “Mercury Marked 106 Degrees in City Yesterday.” The Frederick Post, MD, 7-29-1930, p. 1. Accessed 1-25-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/the-frederick-news-post-jul-30-1930-p-1/

Associated Press. “Middle West Gets Relief. Only Southern Illinois Still Swelters.” 8-7-1930, p. 1. Accessed 1-25-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/the-daily-mail-aug-07-1930-p-1/

Associated Press. “Relief Promised Next Week From Extended Drouth.” The News, Frederick, MD. 8-9-1930, p. 1. Accessed 1-25-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/news-aug-09-1930-p-1/

Associated Press. “South Swelters.” The Daily Illini, Champaign-Urbana, IL. 7-29-1930, p. 1. Accessed 1-25-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/chicago-daily-illini-jul-29-1930-p-1/

Associated Press. “Three Dead in Baltimore Due To Heat Wave.” Morning Herald, Hagerstown, MD. 7-26-1930, p. 1. Accessed 1-25-2025 at:

https://newspaperarchive.com/hagerstown-morning-herald-jul-26-1930-p-1/

Bismarck Tribune, ND. “Eight are Dead in Baltimore District.” 8-8-1930, 1. Accessed at:  http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=1905711

Burlington Daily Times, NC. “Heat Hangs on in the Central States Today.” 8-8-1930, 1.  Accessed at:  http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=10737169

Capital Times, Madison, WI. “64 Dead in Heat Wave in Baltimore.” 8-10-1930, 3.  Accessed at:  http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=99820555

Cumberland Evening Times, MD. “Third Heat Death Here.” 8-6-1930, p. 1. Accessed 1-25-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/cumberland-evening-times-aug-06-1930-p-1/

Cumberland Sunday Times, MD. “Heat Causes Two Johnstown Deaths.” 8-10-1930, p. 9. Accessed 1-25-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/cumberland-sunday-times-aug-10-1930-p-9/

Daily Northwestern, Oshkosh, WI. “Local Rains Only Promise for the Week.” 8-4-1930, 1. Accessed at:  http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=9710229

Decatur Daily Review, IL. “Heat Stroke Fatal to Latham Woman.” 7-29-1930, p. 5. Accessed 1-25-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/decatur-daily-review-jul-29-1930-p-5/

Decatur Daily Review, IL. “Rains Bring Heat Relief.” 8-7-1930, p. 1. Accessed at:  http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=8574755

Dubois Courier, PA. “Heat Waves.” 8-7-1930, 7. Accessed at:  http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=123798428

Dubois Courier, PA. “Unbroken Heat Wave Takes 118 Lives in Week.” 8-7-1930, 1. Accessed at:  http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=123798425

Evening Tribune, Albert Lea, MN. “Mercury is up again in Minnesota.” 8-2-1930, p. 1.  Accessed at:  http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=35761762

Frederick Post, MD. “Deaths. Mrs. Loretta Bowlus.” 8-7-1930, p. 5. Accessed 1-25-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/the-frederick-news-post-aug-07-1930-p-5/

Lima News, OH. “Heat, Humidity Rules Nation, No Relief Seen.” 8-9-1930, 2. Accessed at:  http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=16060375

Mexia Weekly Herald, TX. “Three Convicts Overcome by Excessive August Heat.” 8-22-1930, 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=20993114

Morning Herald, Hagerstown, MD. “Mercury Sets New Record For Summer.” 8-5-1930, p. 1. Accessed 1-25-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hagerstown-morning-herald-aug-05-1930-p-1/

Morning Herald, Hagerstown, MD. “Week-End Fails to Give Relief From Hot Spell.” 8-4-1930, p. 1. Accessed 1-25-2025: https://newspaperarchive.com/hagerstown-morning-herald-aug-04-1930-p-1/

Newark Advocate, OH. “Forecasters Promise Rain.” 8-5-1930, 1. Accessed at:  http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=9427160

Newark Advocate, OH. “Heat Claims Two.” 8-5-1930, p. 1. Accessed at:  http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=9427160

Newark Advocate, OH. “State Faces Drought and Grass Fires.” 8-5-1930, p. 1.  Accessed at:  http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=9427160

The Oakparker, Oak Park, IL. “Lieut. Col. Roth Dies. Heart Failure due to Heat Prostration Fatal…” 8-1-1930, p.1. Accessed 1-25-2025 at:

https://newspaperarchive.com/oak-park-oak-parker-aug-01-1930-p-3/

Titusville Herald, PA. “Entire East Still Suffers in Heat Wave.” 7-29-1930, 1. Accessed at:  http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=105954675

Washington Post. “The Heat Waves of the 1930s.” 6-21-2010. Accessed 9-22-2011 at:  http://voices.washingtonpost.com/capitalweathergang/2010/06/the_heat_waves_of_the_1930s.html

[1] Fritz King, 50, and Miss Pauline Dohnetz, 52.

[2] The Oakparker, Oak Park, IL. “Lieut. Col. Roth Dies. Heart Failure due to Heat Prostration Fatal…” 8-1-1930, p1.

[3] Alton Evening Telegraph, IL. “4 Deaths from Heat Here During July.” 8-1-1930, p. 2.

[4] Decatur Review, IL. “Heat Stroke Fatal to Latham Woman.” 7-29-1930, p. 5.

[5] Associated Press. “South Swelters.” The Daily Illini, Champaign-Urbana, IL. 7-29-1930, p. 1.

[6] Cumberland Evening Times, MD. “Third Heat Death Here.” 8-6-1930, p. 1.

[7] Morning Herald, Hagerstown, MD. “Mercury Sets New Record For Summer.” 8-5-1930, p. 1.

[8] Cumberland Evening Times, MD. “Third Heat Death Here.” 8-6-1930, p. 1.

[9] Cumberland Evening Times, MD. “Third Heat Death Here.” 8-6-1930, p. 1.

[10] Associated Press. “Cool Wave Brings Relief to Midwest.” The Decatur Daily Review, IL. 7-28-1930, p.  1.

[11] Cumberland Sunday Times, MD. “Heat Causes Two Johnstown Deaths.” 8-10-1930, p. 9.