04/16/2026
Then and Now – Areas of Seneca County Ohio recently experienced a tornado warning as well several thunderstorm warnings, so it’s that time of year again. In today’s photos, we’re seeing views of the grade school in New Riegel. Ohio. The top photo was taken in April, 1937 showing the damage there after a tornado came through the area. During the evening of April 14, 1937, the area was struck by a tornado or tornadoes, causing widespread damage. In today’s vintage photo, we’re seeing sections of the 35 squares of roofing material that were ripped off the school building, laying in the front yard. Damage also included several tons of brick from the top of the chimney and part of the parapet wall over the front entrance of the school. It was expected that workers would be rushed to repair the roof in time for the school term to be completed in this building.
This school building was constructed in 1927, so it was relatively new. The corner of the roof at St. Boniface Church was lifted but escaped serious damage and there were several chimneys blown off houses in New Riegel, Ohio. The bottom photo is how this view looks today. There was a new parapet wall with a cross that was replaced above the front entrance along the roofline. And we can see that sometime in history, there was an addition constructed on the north side of the school, which looks very much like the original building.
