The Johnstown Flood Stained the history of the United States. Over 2000 victims died and even more injured. The flood has been blamed on many people since it happened. One group individually brought about the flood. The South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club made selfish changes threatening the effectiveness toward holding back a water overflow. The renovation made to the dam brought about the destruction killing many people and causing millions of dollars in damages. On May 31, 1889 4.8 billion gallons
1889 was a day that brought terror to the small town of Johnstown Pennsylvania. The small town was established in 1794 as a steel town and had a population on 30,000. The cause of the flood actually starts not at the town but 14 upstream at the South Fork Dam were the Little Conemaugh and Stony Creeks rivers meet as you can see in the image below. At this place is Lake Conemaugh, a 3-mile long lake located up against the side of a mountain, 450 feet higher than Johnstown PA. The construction started
attracted many Welsh and German immigrants who worked for the Pennsylvanian Railroad and the Cambria Iron Works. Adjacent to the city, 24 Kilometers up the East Conemaugh River is South Fork Lake, which was approximately 144 meters higher than Johnstown. Containing the South Fork Lake was the 22 meter tall south fork damn, constructed between 1838 and 1856 during a public works project. The River contributed to the great prosperity of Johnstown by providing the primary means of transportation for
dam were the primary reason that Johnstown was devastated in 1889. McCullough exposes the failed duties of Benjamin Ruff and other members of the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club, whilst simultaneously questioning the responsibility of the Johnstown folk who were concerned about the safety of the dam but complacently trusted the wealthy, powerful club members to fulfil their responsibilities. McCullough clearly explains the debate that took place immediately after the flood, on what or whom was
Andrew Carnegie is known as the man who was born in the poorest living conditions but died one of the richest men in the world. He was renown for his judgment of character and business opportunities. He is most widely recognized for providing the capital and opportunity for an innovation that would make steel stronger and more affordable. Andrew Carnegie is a major driving force behind the industrialization of American and the impact that he had can still be seen today across Pennsylvania and the