Johnstown Flood National Memorial facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Johnstown Flood National Memorial |
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Dam abutment and Elias Unger's farm
|
|
 Johnstown Flood National Memorial
Location in Pennsylvania
Johnstown Flood National Memorial
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Croyle Township / Adams Township, Cambria County, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Nearest city | Johnstown, Pennsylvania |
| Area | 164.12 acres (66.42 ha) |
| Established | August 31, 1964 |
| Visitors | 111,987 (in 2005) |
| Governing body | National Park Service |
| Website | Johnstown Flood National Memorial |
The Johnstown Flood National Memorial is a special place in Cambria County, Pennsylvania. It's managed by the National Park Service. This memorial was created in 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson. It honors the many people who were hurt or died in the terrible Johnstown Flood. This disaster happened on May 31, 1889, when the South Fork Dam broke.
Contents
The Story of the Johnstown Flood Memorial
What Caused the Johnstown Flood?
Johnstown was a steel town founded in 1800. It grew because of the Pennsylvania Railroad and other ways to travel. By 1889, about 30,000 people lived there. Most of them had German and Welsh backgrounds.
The town was built in a narrow valley. It was between the Little Conemaugh River and Stony Creek rivers. In the late 1800s, the land around Johnstown changed. Trees were cut down, and hills were flattened. These changes, along with the narrow river valleys, often led to floods.
The South Fork Dam and Its History
In 1836, the South Fork Dam was built. It created a large lake called Conemaugh Lake. This lake was a reservoir for the Pennsylvania Canal. The dam was made of earth and stone. It was 850 feet long at its widest part. People said it was the biggest dam of its kind back then.
Later, the canal system stopped using the dam. It was then bought by private owners. Eventually, a group called the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club bought it. This club was for rich people from Pittsburgh. They used the dam and lake as a summer vacation spot. The club fixed the dam and built a main building and cottages. They turned the area into a resort for boating and fishing.
The Dam Breaks and the Flood Begins
On May 31, 1889, heavy rains caused a lot of water to fill the lake. The South Fork Dam could not hold it all. The dam broke, releasing 20 million tons of water. This huge wave of water traveled at 40 miles per hour. It created a 70-foot-high wall of water.
The water rushed 14 miles down into the Little Conemaugh River Valley. It flooded Johnstown, destroying homes, farms, and businesses. The water carried debris, oil, and bodies of flood victims. Everything got stuck in the arches of a Pennsylvania Railroad stone bridge. Sadly, 80 people trapped there died in a fire that started.
After the Flood: Recovery and Help
The flood itself lasted only about ten minutes. But the damage was huge. It took five years to clean up and rebuild Johnstown. Many people were hurt or died. After the flood, an outbreak of typhoid fever occurred. This was caused by dirty floodwaters and poor sanitation. Forty more people died from the disease.
People from nearby cities came to help the survivors. The United States government and other countries sent over $3.7 million. They also sent food and clothing. Clara Barton and the Red Cross gave a lot of help too.
Victor Heiser was 16 when the flood happened. He later shared his memories. He said people near the dam often joked, "That dam will give way, but it won't ever happen to us." When the flood hit, he remembered it as a "huge wall" coming down the street. The last survivor of the flood, Frank Shomo, passed away in 1997 at 108 years old.
How the Memorial Was Created
U.S. Congressman John P. Saylor suggested creating a memorial. The Blair County Historical Society and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission supported his idea. On August 31, 1964, the United States Congress approved it. President Lyndon B. Johnson signed it into law on September 2, 1964. This officially created the Johnstown Flood National Memorial.
The memorial was made to protect what was left of the South Fork Dam. It also preserves the old bed of Lake Conemaugh. Elias Unger's nearby farm and the clubhouse of the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club are also part of the memorial. The land is now a park.
Today, the memorial is located at 733 Lake Road near South Fork, Pennsylvania. This is about 10 miles northeast of Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
The clubhouse and other buildings are now a National Historic Landmark District. They were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. They are important because of their role in the flood. They also show what fancy clubs and architecture were like in the late 1800s.
Exploring the Memorial Park
The visitor center at the memorial has two floors of exhibits. You can see maps and views of the old dam. There are also displays you can touch. You'll find old photos of the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club. There's even a copy of a morgue book. You can listen to flood survivor Victor Heiser tell his story. A film called "Black Friday" also explains the event. Visitors can also see the Unger House and the Springhouse.
You can also explore the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Clubhouse. The park bought it in 2006. The Lake View Visitor Center is also open. Park rangers offer guided tours by foot and by van.
There are hiking trails that connect different parts of the memorial. You can also find picnic areas throughout the park.
Restoring the Lakebed
In January 2020, a project began to restore the lakebed. The goal was to make it look like it did before the dam broke in 1889. Over the years, many plants had grown there. The National Park Service used a special machine to clear some of the plants.
However, some areas were too hard or dangerous for machines and people to clear. So, an organization called Allegheny Goatscape helped. They brought 12 goats and a donkey! This herd of animals could eat about an acre of plants every two weeks. Another group, Russell Tree Experts, also helped clear the lakebed. This project continued until the summer of 2021.
Images for kids
See also
- List of national memorials of the United States
- South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club
- Johnstown flood of 1936
- Johnstown flood of 1977
