The Blizzard of 1966

Six Stories from the Big Snow

and One From 1977!

Fifty-four years ago, at the end of January 1966, western and central NY, along with much of the mid- Atlantic and northeast, experienced the blizzard of 1966. It was three days of wind and snow that dumped thirty plus inches of snow, and deeper drifts, on much of our area.  To commemorate the blizzard, I recently asked friends and relations to tell their tales of the storm. Here’s what they remember. Respondents ranged in age from 7 to 20-something back in 1966. 
Submitted by Andy Smith

Blizzard of ’66, remember that one? 

Here’s the map…and below are the stories.

Some of the heaviest snow was in Brockport (the blue dot on the map, west of Rochester) where dad got snowed in taking me back to campus. He helped me with my janitor job.Bob, my roommate, and I trudged to the phys. ed building across campus, grabbed two pair of snowshoes, and delivered sandwiches to kids in the dorms.
J.S., SUNY Brockport

My dad had taken my oldest brother back to college at Brockport. Three days later, Dad made it back from Brockport. Driving down East Ave., where the snow banks were piled high on both sides of the road, he spotted our dog Yogi on top of one of the snowbanks. Yogi had been visiting a lady dog friend. Dad brought him home.
A.S. Pittsford, NY

Ted and I remember that storm most vividly.  As newly-weds we were living in Caledonia, it being close to the horse farm.  During that natural assault Ted was daily snow-shoeing several miles from home to farm in order to be sure all the horses were fed and watered.  Other farm hands were snowed in as well, and he felt it was his responsibility to take care of the stock. It was an adventure for both of us that is much better in the telling than it was in the living.
M.Z., Caledonia, NY 

Only the aerial of our car was visible when the snow stopped blowing.  I know that from a photograph.  I was sleeping over at a friend’s house and wound up spending three nights.  I remember we went outside on the second day because we heard a motorized vehicle coming down the road.  It was a sort of bulldozer.  It bogged down in an enormous drift not far from my friend’s house, and the driver just walked away down the road he had cleared.
JMS, Brockport NY

That storm was responsible for the best sleigh riding winter in my memory.  The drifts crusted over and the sleigh riding lasted longer that year than any I could remember. The crust wasn’t there right away, but eventually it was there.  In the spring when then snow melted, we had one long stretch that was a large drift that stayed there a long time.  We did a lot of sleigh riding on that longer than normal into spring.
D.T., Afton NY

Stephen   shoveled  the whole driveway while me, Jamie & Richie car-skied to Pittsford Plaza,  back  and  forth, car-skiing in Dingo Boots was where it was at, man.
B.S., Pittsford, NY

I do!  My neighborhood organized a caravan to walk for groceries. From Fox Chapel Road to Wegman’s (now Beers of the World.)  I was curious about exactly what a hike this was, so I did a Google Map – 2.2 miles one way.   I am sure the time could easily be doubled, because much of the route was not plowed and people were dragging sleds of groceries, and maybe some beer.
N.H., Henrietta, NY

Can you dig out the Blizzard of ’77 from this website, would be interesting to compare. That’s when five of us drivers ended up stranded and bunked out at this farmers house on Town Line Road, wasn’t fit for man or snowmobile to be out that day – young & foolish. It was good conversation, great food, it took three days to get out, but they had plenty of chickens, meat – we ate well.
I believe it was in February…I remember I couldn’t see that well driving, someone had their flashers in front of me, so I stopped, then the next few cars behind us stopped.  There was a 3’ drift across the road and the cars were getting drifted in quickly so we couldn’t turn around.  We saw the Farmers porch light about 1/8 mile up the road and trekked through the snow, knocked on the door and the rest is history.
B. W., Newfane, NY  

So, there you have it, six stories from big snow in ’66 and one from 1977.

Editor’s Note: All images above and map provided courtesy of Andy Smith. Below is my VW Camper Van (purchased from very good friends for $110, already painted plaid) – in the Blizzard of 93. We don’t get snowfall like these anymore! Thanks Andy, and company, for sharing.