On may 31, 1889, a 450acre manmade lake, detained by a fiftyyearold earthen dam and owned by the south fork fishing and hunting club the exclusive reserve of a select group of pittsburghs. Via the south fork dam collapses on this day in 1889, causing a flood in johnstown, pennsylvania, that kills more than 2,200 people. When the south fork dam failed, it was just a matter of time before death and destruction. Mustsee vintage photos of the devastating and fatal flood of. The today show cohost and weatherman writes a narrative history of the 1889 johnstown flood, the deadliest in american history, immersing himself in the weather of the past. Johnstown lies at the confluence of the conemaugh river and stony creek. Book world mccullough has resurrected the flood for a generation that may know it in name only. The devastating 1889 johnstown flood killed over 2,000 people in minutes. The stunning story of one of americas great disasters, a preventable tragedy of. The johnstown flood of 1889 alternate history of the world.
Uncommonly good collectible and rare books from uncommonly good booksellers. It was a dark day in american history and yet could have been easily prevented. History of the johnstown flood by willis fletcher johnson. For days after the disaster, the new york times ran articles spotlighting the flood itself and the predicament of those who survived it. The dam was located approximately 14 miles upstream of the. On june 14, after years researching johnstowns disaster and working on other books, including the bestseller two sisters, hogans historical. The project gutenberg ebook of history of the johnstown flood, by willis. For more, visit the section about the 1889 flood in the archives. A riveting account of the johnstown flood, which still remains the deadliest natural disaster on american soil. As the book described the cause of the flood and the aftermath, the book also included the poem the johnstown flood by joseph flynn in appropriate places at the beginning of each chapter. The american red cross, led by clara barton and organized in 1881, arrived in johnstown on june 5, 1889 it was the first major peacetime disaster relief effort for the red cross. The johnstown flood has become a symbol of the havoc created by the elements gone wild.
See more ideas about johnstown flood, pennsylvania history and johnstown pennsylvania. Disastrous flood 1889 in the town of johnstown, pa. This authored book provides major uptodate revisions to the history of the johnstown flood of 1889, reconstructs and analyzes the catastrophic event, and describes how floods are predicted by revealing secrets of hydrology and the behavior of rivers. In the book, great floods of pennsylvania william h. Vintage book 1889 history of the johnstown pa pennsylvania. With aid from various sources, johnstown rebuilt itself, and celebrated the hundredth anniversary of the flood and its peoples resilience in 1989. After a deluge of rainfall nearly a foot in less than twentyfour hours swelled the little conemaugh river, panicked engineers watched helplessly as swiftly rising waters. Includes pictures includes accounts of the flood writt. May 31, 2019 in the book, great floods of pennsylvania william h.
Although nonfiction it reads more like a novel with an excellent description of the devastation created by the johnstown flood. At the time, may 31, 1889 the johnstown flood was the biggest news story in the nation since the murder of president abraham lincoln. One of the first attempts to write an objective, commercial narrative history of the flood was by the late richard oconnor. Browse the amazon editors picks for the best books of 2019, featuring our. It was also known as the great flood of 1889 to the local population.
The summer of 1889 will ever be memorable for its appalling disasters by flood and flame. History of the johnstown flood willis fletcher johnson with full accounts also of the destruction on the susquehanna and juniata rivers, and the bald eagle creek. On may 31, 1889, a flood of enormous proportions took the lives of more than 2,000 people in johnstown, pa. Johnstown flood the johnstown flood took place on may 31, 1889 and was the result of a catastrophic failure of the south fork dam. Facts about the 1889 flood johnstown area heritage association. A strong surface low pressure of around mb is centered over kentucky at this hour and heavy rain. It was the result of the catastrophic failure of the south fork dam situated on the little conemaugh river 14 miles 23 km upstream of the town of johnstown, pennsylvania, usa, made worse by several days of extremely heavy rainfall. Pennsylvania highlands community college the johnstown flood of 1889 collection. Official history of the johnstown flood, book, 1889. Graced by david mcculloughs remarkable gift for writing richly textured, sympathetic social history, the johnstown flood is an absorbing, classic portrait of life in nineteenthcentury america, of overweening confidence, of energy, and of tragedy. Help keep the story of the johnstown flood alive for a new generation. The johnstown flood is one of historys great tragedies. At the end of the nineteenth century, johnstown, pennsylvania, was a booming coalandsteel town filled with hardworking families striving for a.
A house ripped from its foundation by the johnstown flood, with a tree. I lived through the 1977 flood, and knew about the 1939 johnstown flood that my father lived through, but i knew little about the 1889 flood. Willis fletcher johnson wrote in 1889 a book called history of the johnstown flood published by edgewood. May 06, 2010 history of the johnstown flood by willis fletcher johnson. First 1st edition, first 1st printing of the record of one of the greatest disasters in american history, published later the same year that the johnstown flood occurred. The dam was located approximately 14 miles upstream of the town of johnstown, pennsylvania. In 1889, the johnstown flood was the deadliest natural disaster in american history, and though it was later surpassed by other events, the unprecedented nature of the flood led to relief efforts never before seen, including by the red cross. The johnstown flood is one of history s great tragedies. The definitive history of preflood johnstown, as well as the flood itself, is nathan d. Wikipedia, johnstown flood museum, national park service.
I bought this book the day after this friend recommended it and read it straight through cover to cover i couldnt put it down. If you like american history this is a must listen. In that period fell the heaviest blow of the nineteenth century a blow. Suggested reading johnstown flood national memorial u. About a third of the book is a lead up to the flood, about is the flood, and the reminder is the after investigation of the flood. Hogan said she read every book i could about the 1889 flood and the era to keep her tale as. Cambria county archives history, history of the johnstown. Johnstown flood download ebook pdf, epub, tuebl, mobi. Johnstown has suffered additional significant floods in its history, including in 1936 and 1977.
Also this is my first thread so apologies if the formatting and wording is terrible. Al roker writes about the deadliest flood in american history. It also offers a powerful historical lesson for our century and all times. History of the johnstown flood this book, history of the johnstown flood, by willis fletcher johnson, is a replication of a book originally published before 1889. Books about the flood in a historical context include. If you want a quick and thorough read the johnstown flood of 1889 this is the book for you. A gripping narrative history of the 1889 johnstown flood the deadliest flood in u. History of the johnstown flood by johnson, willis fletcher. Daily weather map for 8 am may 30, 1889, the day before the big flood in johnstown. History of the johnstown flood antique book 1889 by willis. A history of johnstown and the great flood of 1889. Releasing the 1889 johnstown city directory was the beginning for her on a journey that will culminate in a book to feature firsthand accounts of flood survivors. Jul 18, 2012 on may 31, 1889, a 450acre manmade lake, detained by a fiftyyearold earthen dam and owned by the south fork fishing and hunting club the exclusive reserve of a select group of pittsburghs. May 31, 2017 on may 31, 1889, a flood of enormous proportions took the lives of more than 2,000 people in johnstown, pa.
James herbert walker wrote the 1889 the johnstown horror or valley of death, published by national publishing company. It has been restored by human beings, page by page, so that you may enjoy it in a form as close to the original as possible. I felt this book explains the causes of the johnstown flood of 1889 thoroughly in a short narrative. David mccullough has twice received the pulitzer prize, for truman and john adams, and twice received the national book award, for the path between the seas and mornings on horseback. Mustsee vintage photos of the devastating and fatal flood.
The dam broke after several days of extremely heavy rainfall, releasing 14. The people of johnstown inspect the remaining walls of the towns catholic church, after the flood of 1899. Graced by david mcculloughs remarkable gift for writing richly textured, sympathetic social history, the johnstown flood is an absorbing, classic portrait of life in nineteenthcentury america. Find history of the johnstown flood by johnson, willis fletcher at biblio. Mar 02, 2007 the johnstown flood but by far the most famous dam failure, and indeed one of the worst disasters in u. History of the johnstown flood, by willis fletcher johnson. In that period fell the heaviest blow of the nineteenth century a blow scarcely paralleled in the histories of civilized lands. Hardcover published in 1889 by edgewood publishing co. The johnstown flood of 1889 has since been immortalized in a book of the same name by david mcculloch. The project gutenberg ebook of history of the johnstown flood, by willis fletcher. Willis fletcher johnson wrote in 1889 a book called history of the johnstown flood published by edgewood publishing co. The definitive history of pre flood johnstown, as well as the flood itself, is nathan d. The johnstown flood was perhaps the most photographed story of the time.
More than 2,200 people died in may of 1889 when 20 tons of turgid waters, teeming with debris of houses, trees and. I put down my book and stepped out quickly to the rear platform, and was. Aug 16, 2014 as the book described the cause of the flood and the aftermath, the book also included the poem the johnstown flood by joseph flynn in appropriate places at the beginning of each chapter. The johnstown flood but by far the most famous dam failure, and indeed one of the worst disasters in u. Johnstown flood by david mccullough, paperback barnes. His other acclaimed books include the johnstown flood, the great bridge, brave companions, 1776, the greater journey, the american spirit, and the wright brothers. Johnstown is 60 miles east of pittsburgh in a valley near the allegheny, little conemaugh, and stony creek rivers. In the spotlight woman passionate about history of. It is located on a floodplain that has been subject to frequent. Johnstowns flood of 1889 power over truth and the science.
Shank described the water that hit johnstown as an avalanche of death that moved from 40 mph to 60 mph, carrying with it wreckage of. The south fork dam collapses on this day in 1889, causing a flood in johnstown, pennsylvania, that kills more than 2,200 people. The johnstown flood or great flood of 1889 as it became known locally occurred on may 31, 1889. May 31, 1889 johnstown flood by the new york times. This is another good read by the charles river editors. It was the result of the failure of the south fork dam situated 14 miles 23 km upstream of the town of johnstown, pennsylvania, usa, made worse by several days of extremely heavy rainfall. History of the johnstown flood willis fletcher johnson on. Facts about the 1889 flood johnstown area heritage. The incredible story behind one of the most devastating disasters america has ever known is a 1968 book written by popular historian david mccullough about the great flood of 1889 which devastated the town of johnstown, pennsylvania. The stunning story of one of americas great disasters, a preventable tragedy of gilded age america, brilliantly told by master historian david mccullough. Johnstown flood of 1889 was the worst natural disaster in the united states.
The 1889 deluge killed more than 2200 people, destroyed more than 1600. This book is a marvelous achievement in the telling of the history of the flood. Johnstown flood the history, videos, and pictures from. To gain a more complete understanding of the story, we suggest using primary, secondary and thirdlevel sources. The stunning story of one of americas great disasters, a preventable tragedy of gilded age america. Johnstown flood of 1889 a history of the history a select bibliography the following titles stand out among the best to consult when researching the johnstown flood of may 31, 1889.