Thomas Parfitt and his family didn’t waste time getting back into business after the Flood! They sold sandwiches and coffee to relief workers from this Army tent.
The Great Johnstown (PA) Flood of 1889, the result of a record-setting rainstorm speeding the failure of an earthen dam, was the top media story of its day. The catastrophe, in which over 2,200 were killed, dominated the front pages of newspapers around the world just as the terrorist strikes of September 11, 2001 and in our generation. In fact, until 9/11, the Flood was the single largest loss of American civilian lives in one day (the greater number of deaths of the Galveston hurricane disaster of 1900 happened over several days).
Despite the fact that their hometowns were nearly scoured off the map, the survivors of the Great Johnstown (PA) Flood of 1889 almost immediately began rebuilding their homes and businesses. The world responded to stories of the Flood with an unprecedented out-pouring of charity.
To an amazing extent survivors of the Johnstown Flood of 1889 were able to put the trauma of the Flood behind them.
Even though their hometowns were nearly wiped off the map, the survivors of the Great Johnstown (PA) Flood of 1889 almost immediately began rebuilding their homes and businesses. It is a wonder that everyone didn’t abandon the ravaged Conemaugh Valley! The enormity of personal and financial loss makes rebuilding even more unimaginable.
In this module, you’ll consider how each individual — and entire communities — decided what to do after the catastrophe, considering carefully the 5 Rs:
A box at the top of the Before, During, and After Your Visit pages will include all the resources needed to complete the lesson. The Student Resources pages include links to all resources in the entire module.
