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Images: #TBT Gallery revisits blizzards of 1967, 1979

People struggle at the intersection of Kennicott Avenue and Oakton Street in Arlington Heights as abandoned cars are stranded under the snow. Daily Herald file photo Jan. 1967

The original caption reads: Metals, mirrors and wood combine in gentle snow drifts to form a Picasso-type sculpture. But like some of Picasso's works, even a hint doesn't help in figuring out what's behind the shapes. Buried beneath this pile of snow is a motorcycle waiting for warmer days in Elk Grove Village. Daily Herald file photo 1979

The original caption reads: Lessening the load the easy way, Jim Mills uses a snowblower to clear the roof of Joseph Denser's house at 358 Kenilworth Ave., Palatine. With several area buildings collapsing under heavy, wet snow, many residents played it safe with their own roofs. Daily Herald file photo Jan. 1979

Posted January 26, 2017 12:00 am

By John Starks

January has brought heavy snowfalls to the Chicago suburbs on more than a couple of occasions.

On this date, Jan. 26, 1967, a record 23 inches started falling early in the morning and by late morning on the 27th, abandoned automobiles littered the roads and parking lots. Roads were impassable.

The thick blanket of snow shut down both Midway and O'Hare airports. Schools and shopping centers closed. And residents slowly dug themselves out.

Then again in 1979, this time on January 13, 21 inches began to fall and caused power outages, collapsed roofs, closed roads, schools and businesses, and both airports again.

Daily Herald photographers trudged out to make photos of suburban residents digging out and a few having fun with their plight.

Got an idea for a suburban #TBT Gallery? Share your ideas and photos with us at tbt@dailyherald.com. Share your favorite and memorable #TBT photos with us on Instagram using #tbtsuburbs.

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