Saturday, August 9, 2008
THE SOUVENIR BOOKLET
A small 4 x 6 black photo souvenir booklet was discovered when I was working on sorting through items to use in my genealogical documentation. It had taken a lot of research to discover names on the family tree, but this “find” gave me a chance to learn a story that makes the people on the family tree more than just a name. The date on the souvenir booklet was March 1904 and it described the Middletown area of Pennsylvania where our ancestors lived. Understanding the background of this flood gives me an insight into how they lived and what life was like just after the turn of the century.
OUR ANCESTRY
The William B. Leonard family resided on State Street in Middletown, Pennsylvania in 1904. William was born in 1882 and his wife Mary Plott was born in 1887. The couple was married in 1900.
They had three children: “Jim” born in 1905, “Chuck” born in 1912 and Francis born in 1920. This family is on my husband’s side. Charles Edward, called “Chuck”, was my husband’s father so any history we can learn about the family is precious to us.
They had three children: “Jim” born in 1905, “Chuck” born in 1912 and Francis born in 1920. This family is on my husband’s side. Charles Edward, called “Chuck”, was my husband’s father so any history we can learn about the family is precious to us.
PENNSYLVANIA AND OUR FAMILY
The Leonard family settled in the area to work in the steel mills. Both the Plotts and Leonards made their home in Middletown. They lived in the area up until the 1940’s when the family moved to Lorain, Ohio where the U S Steel plant was thriving and gave employees a better opportunity for work. Chuck worked as a security guard for U S Steel for 50 years
Also, our family owned property in the Allegheny Mountains in Cook’s Forest about 16 miles from Clarion. The cabin was built in 1960 and was kept in the family until 1998 when we were no longer able to keep up with maintenance due to living Arkansas. The years of being in the Pennsylvania area gave us many memories.
Interestingly enough our son and his wife are now living in the same basic area. It seems fascinating that after a century that the Leonard family has returned to the area where our ancestors once lived.
Also, our family owned property in the Allegheny Mountains in Cook’s Forest about 16 miles from Clarion. The cabin was built in 1960 and was kept in the family until 1998 when we were no longer able to keep up with maintenance due to living Arkansas. The years of being in the Pennsylvania area gave us many memories.
Interestingly enough our son and his wife are now living in the same basic area. It seems fascinating that after a century that the Leonard family has returned to the area where our ancestors once lived.
PENNSYLVANIA WEATHER HISTORY
The 1600’s
Having once lived in the northern part of the US I knew that winters can be quite cold and that spring can come slowly to the area. The Susquehanna River is the main rive in the north central part of Pennsylvania and has a history of flooding in the area. In the 1600’s there was one major flood in February 1692.
Having once lived in the northern part of the US I knew that winters can be quite cold and that spring can come slowly to the area. The Susquehanna River is the main rive in the north central part of Pennsylvania and has a history of flooding in the area. In the 1600’s there was one major flood in February 1692.
THE 1700's
By the 1700’s seven times the water rose and flooded the area. Most of the dates are in the months of January and February. One flood occurred in the month of March and two times in the late 1700’s the Susquehanna overflowed its banks. Perhaps the most interesting one that I read about was the Pumpkin Flood in October 1786. Because it was in the fall several pumpkins that were growing on vines were washed away, hence the name “The Great Pumpkin Flood”.
THE 1800's
In the 1800’s fourteen floods occurred in the area. It seems logical that as settlers moved into the area and lumbering and working of the coal mines changed the area they may have been partially responsible for the damage. In September 1861 the flood was caused by just that, a log drive caught in a valley about a mile below the creek. Heavy rain contributed to the flooding. The Keating railroad bridge was swept away and even bodies from cemeteries rose from the graves and floated down the river.
THE 1900's
Most documentation that I have perused does not mention the flood of 1904 probably because the other floods in that time era were much more destructive. From 1936-1996 eight floods ravaged the area, one which was caused by tropical storm Agnes. It is also interesting to note that the area most recently flooded in March 2008, almost 100 years from the ice and flood storm of 1904.
BRIEF OVERVIEW OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
The Susquehanna River has a long term history of overflowing its banks. The extremely cold weather causes a heavy ice build-up and if the temperature warms or if there is heavy rain, flooding occurred causing heavy damage to the area and causing hardship to the residents. In February of 1892 eighteen days of the month were frozen and once the ice began to break up, the movement of ice down the river set the scene up for flooding.
With this history, it is not completely surprising that the1904 flood occurred.
With this history, it is not completely surprising that the1904 flood occurred.
HOW MUCH ICE CAN ACCUMULATE ON THE SUSQUEHANNA?
To gain a better picture of this question I used data from February 24, 1994 since I could not find factual information on 1904.
The extreme cold temperatures and continual snow and ice in the region caused a problem in Pennsylvania. The ice on the Susquehanna River averaged from 18 to 36 inches thick. The ice covered the entire surface of the river. According to Martha Decker with Emergency Management Coordinator for NE Pennsylvania there was no visible water from bank to bank. Forty miles of unbroken ice moved downstream without damaging bridges or structures. Just this data allowed me to gain a visual picture into the actual amount of ice that covered this area in 1994. It helps me to envision more clearly the events of 1904 when the frozen ice covered the river and then was drenched in rain and warm temperatures. It was definitely a disaster that our ancestors survived in a time when there was very little communication or a way to really plan ahead.
The extreme cold temperatures and continual snow and ice in the region caused a problem in Pennsylvania. The ice on the Susquehanna River averaged from 18 to 36 inches thick. The ice covered the entire surface of the river. According to Martha Decker with Emergency Management Coordinator for NE Pennsylvania there was no visible water from bank to bank. Forty miles of unbroken ice moved downstream without damaging bridges or structures. Just this data allowed me to gain a visual picture into the actual amount of ice that covered this area in 1994. It helps me to envision more clearly the events of 1904 when the frozen ice covered the river and then was drenched in rain and warm temperatures. It was definitely a disaster that our ancestors survived in a time when there was very little communication or a way to really plan ahead.
WHAT IS AN ICE GORGE?
An ice gorge occurs when large portions of frozen ice break away from each other. If the frozen ice has problems moving downstream, the ice has nowhere to go except on land. This is especially true when the winter has had heavy ice buildup followed by rains or warm weather.
WHAT HAPPENED IN MIDDLETOWN?
Temperature and Weather Conditions
From my research I discovered that the winter of 1904 had been very cold and ice had covered most of the Susquehanna River. The conditions were perfect for an ice gorge and as the ice broke loose it would jam up in the river. Everything was balanced until the weather warmed and heavy rains came to the area. The ice covering the Susquehanna was already several inches thick and with the freezing and thawing of the ice during temperature rises and falls, the layer of ice thickened. When the temperature finally warmed followed by heavy rains, the conditions were just right for a flood and ice gorges to form.
From my research I discovered that the winter of 1904 had been very cold and ice had covered most of the Susquehanna River. The conditions were perfect for an ice gorge and as the ice broke loose it would jam up in the river. Everything was balanced until the weather warmed and heavy rains came to the area. The ice covering the Susquehanna was already several inches thick and with the freezing and thawing of the ice during temperature rises and falls, the layer of ice thickened. When the temperature finally warmed followed by heavy rains, the conditions were just right for a flood and ice gorges to form.
THE FLOODING BEGINS
The water from the melting ice along with the heavy rains caused the Susquehanna to overflow its banks. During this time period lumbering was still a part of the economy. The trees that were cut down were stripped of their branches and the logs were placed on rafts and sent downstream. As the water melted log rafts moved from their place on land onto the river. When these logs jammed into the valleys the situation only got worse.
The flooding occurred so rapidly that people had to literally run from their homes to find higher ground. The water level was at least six feet higher than any former flood.
The flooding occurred so rapidly that people had to literally run from their homes to find higher ground. The water level was at least six feet higher than any former flood.
ASSESSING THE DAMAGE
GENERAL DAMAGE
The south part of Middletown was affected.
The damage in the area was listed as being several thousands of dollars. (Remember that the dollar in 1904 has a much different value that our dollar now. Many items could be bought for a few pennies.)
The south part of Middletown was affected.
The damage in the area was listed as being several thousands of dollars. (Remember that the dollar in 1904 has a much different value that our dollar now. Many items could be bought for a few pennies.)
THE EXTENT OF THE FLOOD
Property Damage
A train of forty cars was overturned at Red Hill. Chunks of ice and debris gathered in the lower area of the town and the coal in the area was broken down into tiny pieces forming a “cinder bank” along the surface of the land.
Water over the railroad tracks reached 4 feet. From the Royalton area to Middletown near the railroad bridge property damage included the Rescue Hose House and Riverside Chapel. Several homes along Southern Union street were destroyed. The highest point of the flood was at M & H (Middletown-Hummelstown)train depot near East Middletown and Pike Bridge. Only a small part of the structure was visible.
Several photos from the souvenir booklet mention the Swatara Creek which is a tributary of the Susquehanna River. The Swatara is about 60 miles long and winds from the Appalachian Mountains southward to Middletown. It was an important transportation route in the area since it connected so many colonial towns together.
A train of forty cars was overturned at Red Hill. Chunks of ice and debris gathered in the lower area of the town and the coal in the area was broken down into tiny pieces forming a “cinder bank” along the surface of the land.
Water over the railroad tracks reached 4 feet. From the Royalton area to Middletown near the railroad bridge property damage included the Rescue Hose House and Riverside Chapel. Several homes along Southern Union street were destroyed. The highest point of the flood was at M & H (Middletown-Hummelstown)train depot near East Middletown and Pike Bridge. Only a small part of the structure was visible.
Several photos from the souvenir booklet mention the Swatara Creek which is a tributary of the Susquehanna River. The Swatara is about 60 miles long and winds from the Appalachian Mountains southward to Middletown. It was an important transportation route in the area since it connected so many colonial towns together.
BUSINESSES THAT SUFFERED DAMAGE
Hartman's store near the aqueduct suffered damage as well as Detweiler’s butcher shop. The Royalton Hotel at the corner of Union and Wilson streets had water up to the front steps. From the top of Young's block the Boot & Shoe Store and B. S. Peters & Sons Central Combination Store (general store) had water damage.
RESIDENTS WHO SUFFERED DAMAGE
The homes of M. H. Hartman and Fred Engle, Jr., were damaged. Carson Long’s double story home was still standing but precariously leaning as if it was ready to fall. A.L. Mansbarger’s wrecked home was literally piled up against Henry Stager’s home. The residences of Davis, Gray, and Snavely at the corner of Catharine and Susquehanna Streets were demolished. The Yentzer house at the corner of Wood and Susquehanna Street and the W. J. McKinley’s house on Wood Street were damaged. The Mansion House near the aqueduct had flooding up to the bottom of the first story windows. Mrs. Plott’s home suffered damage. This was my husband’s great grandmother.
The Susquehanna school building on Wood Street doesn’t appear to be damaged from the picture but there are huge chunks of ice all over the area with several students in the background just in front of the school house.
I can’t read the name of the owner (Brua…), but a barn in the area that had a herd of 100 head of cattle was completely destroyed and literally taken out and over the ice.
The Susquehanna school building on Wood Street doesn’t appear to be damaged from the picture but there are huge chunks of ice all over the area with several students in the background just in front of the school house.
I can’t read the name of the owner (Brua…), but a barn in the area that had a herd of 100 head of cattle was completely destroyed and literally taken out and over the ice.
OTHER DAMAGE
Looking from Middletown towards Hill Island or the area called Lower Middletown the entire land mass was under water. The Susquehanna had huge hunks of ice that landed in their front yards. (A current resort or vacation home is on the island now)
**It is interesting to note that on March 6, 2008 the area flooded again and caused major devastation to the area. This date is exactly 104 years from the 1904 flood in Middletown.
**It is interesting to note that on March 6, 2008 the area flooded again and caused major devastation to the area. This date is exactly 104 years from the 1904 flood in Middletown.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Source: Middletown Ice and Flood Souvenir: March 8, 1904. The Middletown Press, Middletown PA, 1904, third edition.
Sources: Chronological History of Natural Disasters in North Central Pennsylvania by Stephen F. Miller, Jr.
Source: Hinds, Michael Decourcy. “Winter Repeats Itself from Midwest to East”, New York Times, February 24, 1994
Sources: Chronological History of Natural Disasters in North Central Pennsylvania by Stephen F. Miller, Jr.
Source: Hinds, Michael Decourcy. “Winter Repeats Itself from Midwest to East”, New York Times, February 24, 1994
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