Description:
This photo was made by photographer Thomas Croft on May 12, 1896 in Oklahoma City. While not the oldest photograph of a tornado, it was the first to be widely published and described as an active tornado. Weather Bureau records on that day indicate that the tornado touched down at 4:00 PM and said the "twisting serpent-like cloud detached itself from the southern bank (of clouds)". No significant damage was reported. Bureau records also indicate that at 4:30 PM a second funnel passed 2 miles south of Britton. Four farms were hit and a barn was destroyed, as well as the kitchen from a farmhouse. It is estimated to have been an F2 twister.