Where to Buy "One Minute after Sunrise"

There are many ways you can get a copy of One Minute after Sunrise: The Story of the Standard Oil Refinery Fire of 1955. And if you buy the book, and/or the video, all proceeds help support the work of the Whiting-Robertsdale Historical Society.  

There are three locations for buying the book in downtown Whiting. Our long-time supporters are the Whiting-Robertsdale Chamber of Commerce (1417 119th Street) and Calumet Bakery (1446 119th Street). And, most recently, the book has gone on sale at Comfort Roast (1423 119th Street). You can also pick up a copy of the One Minute After Sunrise video at the Chamber of Commerce and Calumet Bakery.

Finally, if you want to buy a copy of either the book or video, you can do so from the comfort of your home via our own website store.

One Minute after Sunrise is the story of what happened on August 27, 1955, when the Whiting refinery experienced its worst explosion, which set off a massive fire that burned for days. It was the only accident in Standard Oil’s history in Whiting, dating back to 1889, which killed anyone outside the refinery. It is also the only explosion which wiped out an entire Whiting neighborhood. The explosion was felt as far away as Michigan, and the flames from the fire rose to a height equal to today’s Hancock Building in Chicago. In One Minute after Sunrise, the story of what happened in 1955 is told, in large part, through the words of those who lived through it.    

Tell Us Your Story

The Whiting-Robertsdale Historical Society is trying something a little different this week. Instead of a featured speaker at this month’s meeting, we are inviting everyone to speak. Tell us about your memories of life in Whiting, whether it’s your years as a student, your neighborhood, the shops you liked to visit, the places you worked, or the people you knew. Better yet, bring in your photos, or those little items that tell a story about your past, or your family, friends and neighbors.

This meeting is open to everyone. We want to hear from you. It will be held this Thursday, January 24, 2019, at 12 noon. It will be held in the new Mascot Hall of Fame. There is no cost to attend, and there are refreshments (which usually includes a nice assortment of baked goods brought in by our volunteers). No reservation is required. Just show up with a photo or artifact that tells your story, or just show up with your memories.