THE GREAT MOLASSES FLOOD OF 1919

Boston’s North End neighborhood had a sticky mess on its hands exactly 100 years ago this week. Literally.

This is the centennial of the Great Molasses Flood of 1919. It sounds funny. But this deadly tragedy was no laughing matter.

The Purity Distilling Company had a facility in the North End. When molasses is fermented it puts the kick in alcoholic beverages such as rum and the “umph” in ethanol. Purity’s plant included a large tank for storing molasses. It worked well enough … until January 15, 1919. Continue reading →