On Saturday, September 24 we visited the Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke. We had hoped to see the J-611 engine but a sign indicated that the engine was in Spencer, NC for repairs.....in June we had visited Spencer and were told we had "just missed her". So we STILL have not seen her!
The museum and varied exhibits: automobiles, bus exhibit, planes, and tall ships. The main interest was of course the trains. On the mezzanine floor there was an extensive circus layout which was also very entertaining. There was an O-gauge layout with several trains in the main lobby area, and it was fun pushing buttons to see various action items.
Sunday September 25 we hitched up and went into Salem, VA for fuel and breakfast and then turned out truck to Hwy 220S and headed for home. We arrived in Raleigh about 1:00 p.m. A rough estimate of milage is 10,500 miles!
Until next summer!
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
Charlottesville, VA
Getting closer to home! We are camped at the KOA about 8 mies south of town. Our reason for being here is that we wanted to revisit Monticello and visit James Madison's Montpelier. We were in this area in about 2003 and had visited both. Monpelier at that time was being refurbished and taken back to the time of Madison, so we really didn't see much of the house. Time for a revisit!
On the 21st we went to Jefferson's Monticello. It was very busy, and has a new visitor's center with theater, museum, and gift shop as well as a cafe. Our tour was at 12:10 so we rode the shuttle up and we were early so enjoyed the grounds until time for our tour. There were about 25 people per tour, which made it a bit crowded in some of the rooms. Most of the information given was about the architecture of the house, and not much was said about any of the furnishings, etc. After the tour we did a self tour of the dependencies, or essential service rooms such as kitchen, smokehouse, ice house and wine cellar. All could be accessed in Jefferson's time from all weather passageways at the cellar level. They were invisible from the pubic spaces of the house.
Jefferson had about 200 slaves, most of which he had inherited. His plantation initially grew tobacco but eventually switched to wheat. House slaves lived in wooden cabins on Mulberry Row, named for the mulberry trees planted along it.
On September 22 we drove the 30+ miles to Madison's Montpelier. Our tour started with a short 20 minute documentary about Madison and his contributions (Father of the Constitution, Architect of the Bill of Rights, and fourth president of the United States.) We had a guided tour of the Madison mansion and had access to self-guided exhibits on the second floor and in the cellars. We were also able to visit the area of the slave quarters where an archealogical dig of the area was ongoing. At Madison's house it seemed we had a lengthy lecture in each room. Glad we returned to see it! My only regret was that there wasn't much mention of Dolley.
On the 21st we went to Jefferson's Monticello. It was very busy, and has a new visitor's center with theater, museum, and gift shop as well as a cafe. Our tour was at 12:10 so we rode the shuttle up and we were early so enjoyed the grounds until time for our tour. There were about 25 people per tour, which made it a bit crowded in some of the rooms. Most of the information given was about the architecture of the house, and not much was said about any of the furnishings, etc. After the tour we did a self tour of the dependencies, or essential service rooms such as kitchen, smokehouse, ice house and wine cellar. All could be accessed in Jefferson's time from all weather passageways at the cellar level. They were invisible from the pubic spaces of the house.
Jefferson had about 200 slaves, most of which he had inherited. His plantation initially grew tobacco but eventually switched to wheat. House slaves lived in wooden cabins on Mulberry Row, named for the mulberry trees planted along it.
On September 22 we drove the 30+ miles to Madison's Montpelier. Our tour started with a short 20 minute documentary about Madison and his contributions (Father of the Constitution, Architect of the Bill of Rights, and fourth president of the United States.) We had a guided tour of the Madison mansion and had access to self-guided exhibits on the second floor and in the cellars. We were also able to visit the area of the slave quarters where an archealogical dig of the area was ongoing. At Madison's house it seemed we had a lengthy lecture in each room. Glad we returned to see it! My only regret was that there wasn't much mention of Dolley.
Friday, September 23, 2016
Back to Maryland
From PA we drove back to Maryland, about 30 miles west of Baltimore. While we were here, we visited the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum, the Mount Clare Museum House, and Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine.
Our first stop was the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum which is the home to the oldest, most comprehensive collection of railroad artifacts in the Western Hemisphere. The 40 acre historic site includes 19th century buildings and the first mile of commercial railroad tract in America. The roundhouse was highlighting "trains come to the Civil War" and included 1860 era steam engines, re-enactors in costume discussing the medical treatments of the war. Outside the roundhouse we toured troop cars showing bunks in tiers of 3 cots, a dining car exhibiting china place settings from almost every line, and a car with a train layout.
The second day we came back into Baltimore and toured Mount Clare, the summer home of Charles Carroll, Barrister. The home of "Georgia", Charles Carroll's 800 acre plantation. The estate had grain fields, grist mills, an orchard and a vineyard, racing stables, brick kilns, and a shipyard on the Patapsco River. The lifestyle was made possible by the labor of many enslaved persons.
From Mount Clare we drove to Fort McHenry. In 1814 after the British had burned Washington they turned their fleet toward Baltimore. The people of Baltimore feared the same fate as Washington, but the troops at Ft. McHenry successfully defended the city and the British left the area. During the fighting Francis Scott Key was detained on a truce ship and the morning of September 14 wrote the words to the Star Spangled Banner upon seeing that the US Flag was still flying over the fort. It was first entitle "Defence of Fort McHenry"and the poem was published the next day. Soon it was being sung to the tune of "To Anacreon in Heaven". Now it's known as the Star Spangled Banner and became the National Anthem of the United States in 1931.
Our first stop was the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum which is the home to the oldest, most comprehensive collection of railroad artifacts in the Western Hemisphere. The 40 acre historic site includes 19th century buildings and the first mile of commercial railroad tract in America. The roundhouse was highlighting "trains come to the Civil War" and included 1860 era steam engines, re-enactors in costume discussing the medical treatments of the war. Outside the roundhouse we toured troop cars showing bunks in tiers of 3 cots, a dining car exhibiting china place settings from almost every line, and a car with a train layout.
The second day we came back into Baltimore and toured Mount Clare, the summer home of Charles Carroll, Barrister. The home of "Georgia", Charles Carroll's 800 acre plantation. The estate had grain fields, grist mills, an orchard and a vineyard, racing stables, brick kilns, and a shipyard on the Patapsco River. The lifestyle was made possible by the labor of many enslaved persons.
From Mount Clare we drove to Fort McHenry. In 1814 after the British had burned Washington they turned their fleet toward Baltimore. The people of Baltimore feared the same fate as Washington, but the troops at Ft. McHenry successfully defended the city and the British left the area. During the fighting Francis Scott Key was detained on a truce ship and the morning of September 14 wrote the words to the Star Spangled Banner upon seeing that the US Flag was still flying over the fort. It was first entitle "Defence of Fort McHenry"and the poem was published the next day. Soon it was being sung to the tune of "To Anacreon in Heaven". Now it's known as the Star Spangled Banner and became the National Anthem of the United States in 1931.
Fort Necessity National Battlefield
Rival claims between the French and English to the vast territory along the Ohio River between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River approached a climax about 1750. In 1753 Governor Dinwiddie of Virginia learned the French had built a fort near Lake Erie (land claimed by Virginia. He sent George Washington to warn the French to withdraw. George, then only 21 years old, made the journey in the winter of 1753-54. The French refused to leave and that set the stage for the events that took place at Fort Necessity.
In June a regiment of Va arrived at Great Meadows bringing supplies and guns to Washington. He now had 293 officers and men, and a few days later received a reinforcement of 100 additional men. They were to build a road between Fort Necessity and Gist's Plantation a frontier settlement in the direction of the Ohio French forts. Washington and the Virginia troops withdrew to Ft. Necessity when he heard the French with 600 men and 100 Indians were approaching.
The French took up positions in the woods surrounding the Ft. Necessity clearing on the morning of July 3, and Washington's men incurred the worst of the battle. They were in the clearing, the French in the woods, and Washington's men felt they were doomed to die at the Fort. They got into the liquor stored at the fort, and got drunk. The French in the woods were getting drenched by heavy rain, and requested a truce to discuss the surrender of Washington's command. The British were allowed to withdraw with the honors of war, retaining their baggage and weapons but having to surrender their swivel guns.
The British troops left the fort July 4. The confrontation of Fort Necessity was the opening battle of the war fought by England and France for control of the North American Continent. The action at Fort Necessity was also the first major event in the military career of George Washington and it was the only time he ever surrendered to an enemy.
In June a regiment of Va arrived at Great Meadows bringing supplies and guns to Washington. He now had 293 officers and men, and a few days later received a reinforcement of 100 additional men. They were to build a road between Fort Necessity and Gist's Plantation a frontier settlement in the direction of the Ohio French forts. Washington and the Virginia troops withdrew to Ft. Necessity when he heard the French with 600 men and 100 Indians were approaching.
The French took up positions in the woods surrounding the Ft. Necessity clearing on the morning of July 3, and Washington's men incurred the worst of the battle. They were in the clearing, the French in the woods, and Washington's men felt they were doomed to die at the Fort. They got into the liquor stored at the fort, and got drunk. The French in the woods were getting drenched by heavy rain, and requested a truce to discuss the surrender of Washington's command. The British were allowed to withdraw with the honors of war, retaining their baggage and weapons but having to surrender their swivel guns.
The British troops left the fort July 4. The confrontation of Fort Necessity was the opening battle of the war fought by England and France for control of the North American Continent. The action at Fort Necessity was also the first major event in the military career of George Washington and it was the only time he ever surrendered to an enemy.
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Flight 93 National Memorial - 9/10/16
From Hagerstown, MD we turned north west again into Pennsylvania and drove to a campground near Somerset, PA. Our purpose was to visit the Flight 93 Memorial. We decided that visiting the memorial on 9/11 would be foolhardy and decided to arrive on the 10th instead.
The Memorial is a tribute to the passengers and crew of Flight 93 and is a place to explore this story. When we arrived we noticed the huge number of National Guard Members, the numerous National Park Rangers, and volunteers from the aged to high school students. We learned that they were expecting 5000 on 9/11. Glad we came early!
The tall walls of the Visitor Center Complex and the dark tiles symbolize the flight path of the plane and the 40 rushed the terrorists. Inside the Memorial I found the wall of photographs and some of the belongings in cases very moving. Especially moving was the final phone calls of some of the passengers and crew we were able to hear.
We took the shuttle down to the Memorial Plaza borders the crash site, which consists of the impact site (marked by a large Boulder) and the debris field. THe field and the woods beyond are the final resting place for the passengers and crew; their remains are still present. A large white wall with panels with the names of the passengers and crew are also there. Many panels had bouquets of flowers at their base. No one but family members are allowed at the impact site and the debris field.
A future Tower of Voices will have 40 wind chimes and is scheduled for completion by 2017.
The Memorial is a tribute to the passengers and crew of Flight 93 and is a place to explore this story. When we arrived we noticed the huge number of National Guard Members, the numerous National Park Rangers, and volunteers from the aged to high school students. We learned that they were expecting 5000 on 9/11. Glad we came early!
The tall walls of the Visitor Center Complex and the dark tiles symbolize the flight path of the plane and the 40 rushed the terrorists. Inside the Memorial I found the wall of photographs and some of the belongings in cases very moving. Especially moving was the final phone calls of some of the passengers and crew we were able to hear.
We took the shuttle down to the Memorial Plaza borders the crash site, which consists of the impact site (marked by a large Boulder) and the debris field. THe field and the woods beyond are the final resting place for the passengers and crew; their remains are still present. A large white wall with panels with the names of the passengers and crew are also there. Many panels had bouquets of flowers at their base. No one but family members are allowed at the impact site and the debris field.
A future Tower of Voices will have 40 wind chimes and is scheduled for completion by 2017.
Monday, September 19, 2016
Pictures - Antietam National Battlefield
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| Burnside Bridge |
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| Dunker Church |
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| Jack and Jean at Sunken Road Overlook |
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| Sunken Road the day after the battle |
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| Standing in the sunken road |
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| HOT!!!! |
September 7-8. Antietam Battlefield and Chesapeake and Ohio - National Historic Sites
From the Gettysburg area we drove down I-81 to Harrisburg/Williamsport, MD KOA. It was within 14 miles of Antietam National Historic Battlefield so the next morning we drove to the battlefield, expecting that since it was after Labor Day it would be nearly deserted. WRONG! The parking lot was quite full.
We watched a 25 minute video explaining the battle, went through the museum and attended a ranger talk on the war from the observation room. By this time it was after noon so we found a convenience store i where we ate lunch. Best darn sub sandwich i've ever tasted!
When we returned to the battlefield we followed the park map to the 11 important sites. It was a bloody battle! Of the 100,000 troops there, 23,000 died in the battle. Clara Barton brought lanterns, food and bandages to the hospital, and Surgeon Charles Dunn christened her The Angel of the Battlefield. In 1881 she founded the American Red Cross. For the people of Sharpsburg, the battle and presence of thousands of soldiers caused sickness and death from disease, and great property damage. Antietam made feasible the Emancipation Proclamation and reshaped the logistics of field medicine.
Some of the important sites were: The Sunken Road, the Burnside Bridge, and the Dunker Church.
The next day we went to Williamsport to see the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. While this site is considered a National Historic Site, it is not well developed. The Visitor's Center is in the old Cushwa warehouse. Little has been done to expand the site.
We watched a 25 minute video explaining the battle, went through the museum and attended a ranger talk on the war from the observation room. By this time it was after noon so we found a convenience store i where we ate lunch. Best darn sub sandwich i've ever tasted!
When we returned to the battlefield we followed the park map to the 11 important sites. It was a bloody battle! Of the 100,000 troops there, 23,000 died in the battle. Clara Barton brought lanterns, food and bandages to the hospital, and Surgeon Charles Dunn christened her The Angel of the Battlefield. In 1881 she founded the American Red Cross. For the people of Sharpsburg, the battle and presence of thousands of soldiers caused sickness and death from disease, and great property damage. Antietam made feasible the Emancipation Proclamation and reshaped the logistics of field medicine.
Some of the important sites were: The Sunken Road, the Burnside Bridge, and the Dunker Church.
The next day we went to Williamsport to see the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. While this site is considered a National Historic Site, it is not well developed. The Visitor's Center is in the old Cushwa warehouse. Little has been done to expand the site.
Thursday, September 15, 2016
Pictures of Wheatland and Rock Ford Plantatio
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| In front of Rock Ford Plantation |
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| Side view of Rock Ford Plantation |
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| Wheatland |
James Buchanan's Wheatland and Rock Ford Plantation - Lancaster
It wasn't all trains in Lancaster. We enjoyed sampling delicious food at the Bird-in-Hand and Good n'
Plenty Amish restaurants, enjoyed the beautiful handmade quilts, and shopped at the Farmer's Market.
We also added a bit of historical homes to our trip by visiting Rock Ford Plantation, the 33 acre home of General Edward Hand. He had been the Adjutant General to Washington in the Revolutionary War. He was a lawyer, elected the Burgess of Lancaster (mayor), and later served in the PA General Assembly and US House of Representatives. He moved from Lancaster Town to his estate in 1794 and died in 1802. The house was saved from destruction and refurbished by the Junior League. The barn and grounds are often used for weddings.
We also visited the home of James Buchanan, the 15th President of the USA. He was a bachelor and his niece acted as his hostess in the White House. His nephew served as his secretary. After his Presidency he returned to Lancaster, relieved that he would not have to deal with the slavery problem.
Plenty Amish restaurants, enjoyed the beautiful handmade quilts, and shopped at the Farmer's Market.
We also added a bit of historical homes to our trip by visiting Rock Ford Plantation, the 33 acre home of General Edward Hand. He had been the Adjutant General to Washington in the Revolutionary War. He was a lawyer, elected the Burgess of Lancaster (mayor), and later served in the PA General Assembly and US House of Representatives. He moved from Lancaster Town to his estate in 1794 and died in 1802. The house was saved from destruction and refurbished by the Junior League. The barn and grounds are often used for weddings.
We also visited the home of James Buchanan, the 15th President of the USA. He was a bachelor and his niece acted as his hostess in the White House. His nephew served as his secretary. After his Presidency he returned to Lancaster, relieved that he would not have to deal with the slavery problem.
Choo Choo Barn - Strasburg, PA
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| A small portion of the Choo Choo Barn Layout |
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| Adding to the layout! |
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| More layout |
Pictures - Lancaster, Strasburg PASnow
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| Snow layout - National Toy Train Museum |
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| National Toy Train Museum |
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| Walls of Trains at the National Toy Train Museum |
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| Look who we found at the Railroad Museum of PA! |
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| Overview of the train barn |
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| Another view of the train barn |
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| That's a BIG WHEEL!!!! |
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| A LEGO layout |
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| At the RR Museum of PA |
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Thursday, September 8, 2016
Pictures: Steamtown, Horseshoe Curve, Johnstown
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| At Steamtown |
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| He can only hope! |
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| Kid's train - Steamtown |
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| Look closely - you can see some of the 192 steps to the top of the curve! |
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| Train on the Horseshoe Curve |
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| Johnstown viaduct that caused the debris to accumulate in the floood |
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| Johnstown Overview |
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| Aerial view of Horseshoe Curve |
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| Another picture of the steps |
The Choo Choo Barn - Strasburg, PA
Down the road from the Railroad Museum of PA was a little shop called the Choo Choo Barn. When we walked in, I was expecting to see layouts similar to what I'd seen at the Toy Train Museum. Boy, was I mistaken! We paid our entrance fee and went through a curtain marked "enter" and we were surprised by the scene before us. This model train layout was 1,700 sq. feet of pure magic! It had been built by one family since 1945 and after outgrowing the family basement, found a home in this building. There were more than 150 miniature animations - with activity in every area of the layout. My favorites were the Amish barn raising, the Amish farmer plowing his field with horses, a truck that loaded and unloaded equipment, a snow scene with ski lift, skiers, ice skaters. Also a 3-ring circus with circus parade, a Memorial Day parade through town with marching bands, floats, and military jeeps.
Sunday we visited Rock Ford Plantation, the home of General Edward Hand who was George Washington's Adjutant General in the Revolutionary War. He was a lawyer, and eventually served as Mayor of Lancaster, served in the PA General Assembly and the US House of Representatives.
The Junior League saved the house from demolition and restored it to the time period of 1794-1802.
Sunday we visited Rock Ford Plantation, the home of General Edward Hand who was George Washington's Adjutant General in the Revolutionary War. He was a lawyer, and eventually served as Mayor of Lancaster, served in the PA General Assembly and the US House of Representatives.
The Junior League saved the house from demolition and restored it to the time period of 1794-1802.
September 1 - National Toy Museum, Lancaster County, PA
We arrived August 31 and our first visit was on September 1 when we drove to the National Toy Train Museum. When we entered the museum, my first thought was that it was like the Dyersville, IA toy tractor museum, but the tractors had been replaced by toy trains. There were rows and rows of shelved cases containing all manner and size of toy trains. Some of the trains dated back into the early 1800's!. Besides the walls lined with cases of trains, there were also many nice layouts to view of all sizes from the tiny n gauge to the large garden sized trains.
On September 2 we drove to the Railroad Museum of PA in Strasburg. When we got close, it was evident something big was happening. We were directed to park in a field adjacent to some railroad tracks and then entered a huge white tent filled with parents with little ones who were going to the Imagination Station, the food vendors, or the Thomas the Tank Engine souvenir displays. Ahhhh! Thomas the Tank Engine was here and giving rides! After wading through the crowd of little people we crossed the steet and entered the Railroad Museum, a beautiful building containing 4 rows of tracks with beautifully refurbished trains. It was a treat to see such beautiful trains. The museum also contained many displays along the tracks and at one end of the barn was a building with layouts and hands on activities for children.
We treated ourselves to dinner at the Bird-in-Hand restaurant.
Thursday, September 1, 2016
Scranton, PA
Our reason for coming to Scranton was to visit Steamtown, USA which is a National Historic Site. We arrived on Monday about 10:15 and there was so much to see that it was almost 2 pm when we stopped for lunch. The National Park Service had a good introductory movie, history of railroading done by describing the duties/roles of the various people: emigrants, newsboys, engineers, conductors, brakemen, firemen, etc. and a history of the founders of the railroad. From there we walked through a business coach, a mail car with a film about Oney the dog and a film talking about the last time the rail car was used. There were two roundhouses with rolling stock to view.
After lunch we went across the parking lot and visited the smaller Electric City Trolley Station and Museum.
Tuesday we stopped to see the coal furnaces and then drove to McDade Park to visit the Anthrocite Museum. This museum talked about the mining of the coal and the processes used to prepare it for use in the trains and industrial uses. The region recruited emigrants to work the mines and children as young as 8 were set to work in the mines. The wives scrounged for dropped coal for heating and cooking, did normal household chores, and many went to work in silk factories that dotted the area.
It was an interesting look at life in the 1800's in the area.
Wednesday we set out for Lancaster County, PA.
After lunch we went across the parking lot and visited the smaller Electric City Trolley Station and Museum.
Tuesday we stopped to see the coal furnaces and then drove to McDade Park to visit the Anthrocite Museum. This museum talked about the mining of the coal and the processes used to prepare it for use in the trains and industrial uses. The region recruited emigrants to work the mines and children as young as 8 were set to work in the mines. The wives scrounged for dropped coal for heating and cooking, did normal household chores, and many went to work in silk factories that dotted the area.
It was an interesting look at life in the 1800's in the area.
Wednesday we set out for Lancaster County, PA.
From Washington PA to Altoona, PA
We discovered that the Ligoneer train museum was on our way to Altoona, so we took a slight detour and stopped to see this depot. As luck would have it, they had received a gift of $$, so Wednesday, August 24 everyone got in free. There had been a big article on it in the local paper, so the docents were busy explaining the purpose of the train route and we toured the ground and learned more about railroad signals. We were there about an hour, and then proceeded on our way to Altoona.
Altoona was a busy railroad hub, and the Pennsylvania Railroad had built a huge roundhouse and repair shop here and at it's busiest employed 18,000 people. We went to the Railroader's Memorial Museum which is located in one of the Altoona PRR shops. The shops built 6000 engines while it was in operation and repaired thousands more. We watched several short films on the Era of Steam and one on the birth of the Horseshoe Curve. The Museum had 3 floors . On Second we learned about the various shops at the location and also about the various ethnic neighborhoods that existed. The third floor had displays about disasters on the rails, and a hands on laboratory that took us through several tests that were done here. We also learned about the reasons for the decline in railroading in the 1950's. We went across the yard and walked through the roundhouse portion that was open to us.
After lunch we drove out to the Horseshoe Curve which opened in 1854. It revolutionized rail travel and cleared the way for westward expansion of the railroad. It has been declared a National Historic Landmark. Unfortunately the funicular was hit by lightning a few weeks ago so Jack and I trudged up the 194 stops to the tracks to view the trains passing on the curve. It was definitely worth the climb. Of special interest is the fact that the huge hill filled in a section of valley so that trains could travel from one mountain to the next and it was filled in BY HAND. The workers used picks, shovels and wheelbarrows to haul the dirt up to build the incline.
Friday we drove to Johnstown, PA to see the museum of the Great Flood of 1889. Rain fell heavily for two days and on May 31 rising water from the lake broke through the South Fork Dam sending 20 million gallons of water down through the valley destroying everything in it's path. It literally swept the town away. When it was over, 2,209 people were dead. It was the worst national disaster of the 19th century. Clara Barton and her American Red Cross provided the first disaster relieve effort of the American Red Cross.
Altoona was a busy railroad hub, and the Pennsylvania Railroad had built a huge roundhouse and repair shop here and at it's busiest employed 18,000 people. We went to the Railroader's Memorial Museum which is located in one of the Altoona PRR shops. The shops built 6000 engines while it was in operation and repaired thousands more. We watched several short films on the Era of Steam and one on the birth of the Horseshoe Curve. The Museum had 3 floors . On Second we learned about the various shops at the location and also about the various ethnic neighborhoods that existed. The third floor had displays about disasters on the rails, and a hands on laboratory that took us through several tests that were done here. We also learned about the reasons for the decline in railroading in the 1950's. We went across the yard and walked through the roundhouse portion that was open to us.
After lunch we drove out to the Horseshoe Curve which opened in 1854. It revolutionized rail travel and cleared the way for westward expansion of the railroad. It has been declared a National Historic Landmark. Unfortunately the funicular was hit by lightning a few weeks ago so Jack and I trudged up the 194 stops to the tracks to view the trains passing on the curve. It was definitely worth the climb. Of special interest is the fact that the huge hill filled in a section of valley so that trains could travel from one mountain to the next and it was filled in BY HAND. The workers used picks, shovels and wheelbarrows to haul the dirt up to build the incline.
Friday we drove to Johnstown, PA to see the museum of the Great Flood of 1889. Rain fell heavily for two days and on May 31 rising water from the lake broke through the South Fork Dam sending 20 million gallons of water down through the valley destroying everything in it's path. It literally swept the town away. When it was over, 2,209 people were dead. It was the worst national disaster of the 19th century. Clara Barton and her American Red Cross provided the first disaster relieve effort of the American Red Cross.
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