La Plata, Maryland: La Plata Tornado Memorial Garden
Downtown La Plata was destroyed by an F4 tornado on April 28, 2002, killing four. An earlier F4 ripped through La Plata in 1926, killing 13 school children. The Star Memorial Garden memorializes those two tragedies.
- Address:
- Firehouse Alley, La Plata, MD
- Directions:
- Behind an old firehouse painted a "seafoam" green color. To get to the garden, just follow the huge star that can be seen from just about anywhere in town. But better directions are to follow Highway 6/Charles St. east into downtown from Highway 301. Turn right onto St Mary's Ave. and then make an immediate right onto Firehouse Alley. Parking lot near the base of the star.
- Hours:
- Always open Local health policies may affect hours and access.
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I found this by accident. The term garden should be used loosely. It is located behind the the teal colored Firehouse Museum. There are local shops and restaurants nearby that will help make the visit worth your while.
[Melissa J, 05/24/2019]
Downtown La Plata, MD was destroyed by an F4 tornado in 2002. This small garden was built as a tribute to the town and in memory of those who died as well as the star that was destroyed on top of the town water tower. A new star now sits atop a very tall pole next to the garden.
The small line of red bricks that run through the garden represents the path the 2002 tornado took through the town. In addition, there is a bench located in the garden in memory of the 1926 tornado and its victims.
By looking around, one can tell by the "lack" of mature trees and the "newness" of the buildings that the tornado plowed through this area.
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