Penn Avenue under water during the Flood of 1936

1936

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Penn Avenue under water during the Flood of 1936
  • Title
  • Penn Avenue under water during the Flood of 1936
  • Creator
  • unknown
  • Identifier
  • MSP285.B013.F21.I02
  • Description
  • The 1936 flood, which began on Saint Patrick’s Day, spread rapidly through Pittsburgh and other Western Pennsylvania river communities. The flood waters continued to rise until approximately 6 a.m. on March 19, when the waters peaked at 46 feet. Thirty-six people were killed and another 500 were injured. The financial damages were estimated between $150 million and $200 million. As illustrated in this photograph, Penn Avenue, one of the busiest streets in downtown Pittsburgh was brought to a standstill. The storefronts of local business, including the Fort Pitt Hat Cleaning Company (pictured on the right) located at 316 Penn Avenue, were enveloped by water.
  • Subject
  • Pittsburgh (Pa.)--Flood, 1936.
    Floods--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh.
    Penn Avenue (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
    Downtown (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
  • Contributor
  • Detre Library & Archives, Heinz History Center
  • Collection
  • Allegheny Conference on Community Development Photographs
  • Rights Information
  • The copyright and related rights status of this Item has been reviewed by the organization that has made the Item available, but the organization was unable to make a conclusive determination as to the copyright status of the Item. Please refer to the organization that has made the Item available for more information. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use.
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