MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — As much of Minnesota is buckling down for an extended snowstorm that could bring more than a foot of snow to parts of the state, it’s worth taking a look back to what happened nearly three-quarters of a century ago.

It was another “early in the season” storm that caught Minnesota residents off guard — the Armistice Day Blizzard.

That blizzard struck back on Nov. 11, 1940. The powerful winter storm claimed the lives of 49 Minnesotans, and dozens of others throughout the Midwest.

Records from the Minnesota Historical Society say one of the hardest hit places was Collegeville, where 27 inches of snow was recorded that day.

Related: Was Winter Really Worse ‘Back In The Day?’