Lemont Area Historical Society and Museum

Lemont Area Historical Society and Museum The Lemont Area Historical Society is located in the Old Stone Church, a national landmark listed on

The Lemont Area Historical Society is located in the Old Stone Church, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

We’re cleaning and organizing our library and have an extra 1993 LHS Yearbook. Free to the first person to claim it. Don...
06/17/2026

We’re cleaning and organizing our library and have an extra 1993 LHS Yearbook. Free to the first person to claim it. Donation to the museum is much appreciated.

We’re cleaning and organizing our library and have an extra 1946 LHS Yearbook. Free to the first person to claim it. Don...
06/17/2026

We’re cleaning and organizing our library and have an extra 1946 LHS Yearbook. Free to the first person to claim it. Donation to the museum is much appreciated.

A special post from our esteemed author and researcher, Pat Camalliere, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the histor...
06/14/2026

A special post from our esteemed author and researcher, Pat Camalliere, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the historic June 13, 1976 Lemont Tornado. Join us as Pat shares her research, insights, and reflections on this significant moment in Lemont’s history... www.patcamallierebooks.com/lemont-tornado-june-13-1976/

Lately there are two things we’re hearing a lot about on news and social media.
1. Anniversaries:
The 250th anniversary of our nation, July 4, 1776
The 100th anniversary of Historic Route 66
2. Tornados, as our weather patterns get more and more complex and dangerous this time of year.

Today’s post is about both—the 50th anniversary of the great Lemont tornado, June 13, 1976.

Recent weather in the Chicago area has been threatening and there has been some wind damage. Thankfully, nothing to compare with the tornado that struck Lemont fifty years ago today, June 13, 1976.

The 1976 storm was preceded by a weather pattern that is all too familiar, following temperatures with highs in the 90s. It struck Lemont on a hot and muggy Sunday afternoon at 5:18 p.m. on June 13, 1976.

This storm was MASSIVE. It first touched down just north of downtown Lemont, then headed southeast where most of the damage in Lemont occurred. If any tornado can be described as ordinary, the Lemont tornado was no ordinary tornado. It then did something unique: it turned around, heading northwest across the Des Plaines River, where it tore a roof off a building at Argonne National Laboratory before dissipating on the southern edge of Downers Grove.

Seventy-five homes in Lemont were completely destroyed and 390 were damaged, estimated at 13 million dollars. That would be over 75 million in 2026 dollars.

The storm was on the ground for nearly an hour, exceptionally long. It traveled for 8 miles and was up to 800 yards (nearly half a mile!) wide. Two people were killed, and 23 were injured. This is pretty incredible because in 1976 there was very little storm warning, if any at all.

Surely there are some people who experienced this tornado and would like to tell their tale. If there is enough interest, I’d like to present a program about this tornado at the Lemont Historical Society. If you would like to tell me about your experience to be included in that program, I invite you to send an email to me at [email protected].

1946 Freshmen Class Lemont Township High School.
06/10/2026

1946 Freshmen Class Lemont Township High School.

Sophomore Class Lemont Township High School 1946.
06/08/2026

Sophomore Class Lemont Township High School 1946.

1946 Junior Class Lemont Township High School.
06/07/2026

1946 Junior Class Lemont Township High School.

Address

306 Lemont Street
Lemont, IL
60439

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 2pm
Friday 10am - 2pm
Saturday 10am - 1pm

Telephone

+16302572972

Website

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