Washburn 'A' Mill explosion

Background. The Washburn 'A' Mill, completed in 1874, was declared the largest flour mill in the world upon its completion and contributed to the development of Minneapolis, the county seat of Hennepin County, Minnesota. Fires and explosions were well-known hazards for flour mills generally, a danger that shaped conditions in the industry.

Incident. On May 2, 1878, a spark ignited airborne flour dust within the mill, creating an explosion that demolished the Washburn 'A' Mill. The ensuing fire resulted in the deaths of four more people, destroying five other mills and reducing Minneapolis's milling capacity by one third.

Aftermath. Known as the Great Mill Disaster, the explosion made national news and served as a focal point that led to reforms in the milling industry. The event is remembered as a significant disaster in the late 19th century that killed eighteen people.