Hometowners Plan Community Toast on 50th Anniversary of 1967 Tornado

HOMETOWN, IL -- Hometown residents who survived the 1967 tornado will gather for a community toast this Friday, April 21. Hometowners will lift their glasses at 5:30 p.m., the approximate time the tornado ripped through Oak Lawn, Hometown, Evergreen Park, Palos and Beverly 50 years ago.

The community will gather in front of the former Mulchrone residence at 9026 Corcoran Road in Hometown. The extensively damaged house became famous after a photo appeared in the Suburban Economist advertising that it was “For Sale, Real Cheap” in the aftermath of the 1967 tornado. Edward Mulchrone’s sense of humor buoyed his neighbors' spirits as they cleaned up the shambles of their homes.

Many of those gathering Friday, now adults in their 50s and 60s, were children eating supper when parents or older siblings shooed them into hallways, closets and bathrooms to take cover in the basement-less duplexes. Homes were stripped away, leaving dinners abandoned on kitchen tables intact.

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The 1967 Oak Lawn Tornado as it would come to be known killed 35 people and injured hundreds more. The twister leveled three blocks of homes in Hometown, but no one died within its 10-square block city limits. The close-knit community of tough Southsiders took care of their own, banded together and helped their neighbors rebuild.

“As youths we jumped on a dump truck and helped clean up,” Mayor Kevin Casey said. “Then you went to the VFW where they gave you lunch. You’d go back out and clean up some more.”

Following the toast, community members are invited to Hometown VFW Post at 9092 Main St., to trade “Hometown Twister” stories. Featured guests include Mayor Casey, Post Commander Joe Lipetsky and Deborah Kirby, president of the Ladies Auxiliary. Chili, tacos and snacks will be served.

In the hours and days following the tornado, Hometown VFW Post 9773 provided a safe haven to residents who lost everything. The post served meals around the clock to neighbors, volunteers and first responders, gathered and distributed clothing to families, and provided a place to stay to those who lost their homes.

"And we continue to do that today," Ladies Auxiliary president Kirby says.

Members of the Melvin family recall the 1967 Oak Lawn Tornado.

Historic Photo provided by the Hometown Historical Society.