Local HistoryMonday, November 2
Appleton dedicates a state historical marker to Harry Houdini 100 years after his death
The Good Day Appleton team
Houdini Plaza has a new state historical marker for Harry Houdini. Appleton dedicated it Sat., Oct. 31, the 100th anniversary of his death, with speakers and local magicians showing off their own tricks.
Houdini's death came 100 years ago, at age 52
- 4
- years old when Houdini's family immigrated
- 52
- Houdini's age when he died
- 100
- years since his death in 1926
Houdini was born in Budapest, Hungary, but he often called Appleton his hometown. Dustin Mack, who directs the History Museum at the Castle, hopes the marker reminds people of the community Appleton was when the Weiss family arrived: "We were welcoming, we integrated new people and really lifted them up." The city has also marked the anniversary with movie nights, a circus and a 10K run.
- Death certificate: infection from a ruptured appendix
- New book by Larrian Gillespie: bowel obstruction, not appendicitis
- Same book: Houdini died Oct. 30, not Oct. 31
Houdini's story runs from an 1878 arrival to a 2026 marker
- 1878Houdini's family immigrates to the United States when he is 4.
- Oct. 1926Houdini dies at 52; a new book argues the date was Oct. 30.
- Oct. 31Appleton dedicates a state historical marker in Houdini Plaza.