1928 McKnight Building Collapse

News Coverage

On Tuesday morning, August 28, 1928, the McKnight Building on West Warren Street in Shelby was undergoing excavations to construct a bowling alley in the basement. Due to improper bracing, the south wall gave way causing the building to collapse. As it collapsed, it took a portion of the adjacent Gardner Building down with it. The news stories below chronicle the events and aftermath of that tragic day.

Wednesday, August 29, 1928

Front page of The Cleveland Star, Wednesday August 29, 1928. Photo courtesy of Broad River Genealogical Society.
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Fragmented image of page 2 of The Cleveland Star, Aug. 1928. Photo courtesy of Broad River Genealogical Society.
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Ora Eskridge, head bank clerk at First National Bank, was the only female victim of the collapse. She was less than three weeks away from her 43rd birthday.

September 3, 1928

November 26, 1928