What caused the Roseburg Blast?
What caused the Roseburg Blast?
That explosion took place early in the morning on Aug. 7, 1959, when the small blaze at the Gerretsen Building Supply store sparked a load of dynamite, compounded from ammonium nitrate and oil, that was sitting in a parked truck. The truck’s driver was staying at a nearby hotel.
When was the Blast in Roseburg or?
August 7th, 1959
“The Blast” took place in Roseburg, Oregon on August 7th, 1959, a few hours after a delivery truck, loaded with six-and-a-half tons of dynamite and a blasting agent, drove into the city core and parked. At 1:14 a.m., a small fire broke out nearby and within minutes the truck itself exploded.
What happened in Roseburg Oregon?
Such an event occurred in Roseburg, Oregon, on August 7, 1959. Click the link below to view a home movie on YouTube which shows the devastating aftermath of the blast.
Is Roseburg a city in trouble?
The peaceful face of the City of Roseburg today belies the tragedy of 1959. The rebuilding did not take on the magnificent characteristics envisioned by some in the aftermath of the Blast but remained true to the City’s roots in tone of character and purpose. The reality of community development seldom proceeds smoothly or slowly.
How many businesses were destroyed in the Roseburg explosion?
Three hundred businesses within a thirty block radius were damaged by the blast. Of those, seventy-two were declared structurally unsafe resulting in major repairs and renovation. Twelve buildings beyond the eight block perimeter were condemned. The face of Roseburg changed forever in an instant.
What is the history of Roseburg plat?
One of the most significant spatial aspects of an early City of Roseburg Plat was the one hundred foot block width between Jackson Street and Main Street. This north/south strip of narrow blocks represented the heart of the city’s original retail district and its north/south transportation corridor.
