Historic Pittsburgh: 1907 Flood

 At the junction of three rivers—the Allegheny, the Monongahela, and the Ohio—Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has suffered several devastating floods.

 

On March 16, 1907, heavy rains and melting snow brought the river stage to 36.6 feet, causing the greatest flood in the city to date. Residents were caught completely unaware due to the rapid rise of the water, but surprisingly few lives were lost—estimates range from 6 to 12. However, damage to property and business was great, with total losses estimated at $5,000,000. Electricity was cut off and hundreds of workers found themselves out of work due to mill and industrial plant closures.

Thousands of curiosity seekers crowded the streets of downtown Pittsburgh to witness the flood damage. Some used whatever they could find to navigate the waters; notice the men in what may be a casket. The photographer of this image probably hauled his equipment onto the top of a horse-drawn wagon, a conclusion supported by the horse's ear in the lower right corner of the panorama.