Johnstown in Cambria County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Central Park
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., June 26, 2009
1. Central Park Marker
Inscription.
Central Park. . On May 31, 1889, Central Park was under 18 feet of water and tons of debris. Within a few days, however, the park was cleared off and transformed into a tent city for some of the 6,000 laborers and 580 members of the 14th Pennsylvania Regiment who came to help clean up and rebuild. Most of the workers were sent by the Booth and Flinn Company of Pittsburgh to help remove acres of debris, recover dead bodies, dispose of animal corpses, tear down dangerous structures, and clear the riverbeds. The State Militia, directed by Adjutant General Daniel Hastings, maintained order and coordinated the distribution of supplies to the various relief agencies in the Valley. Temporary shops eventually replaced the tent camps in the park, but throughout the month of June, “Johnstown was a cross between a mining town and a military camp.” The park reopened in 1892.
On May 31, 1889, Central Park was under 18 feet of water and tons of debris. Within a few days, however, the park was cleared off and transformed into a tent city for some of the 6,000 laborers and 580 members of the 14th Pennsylvania Regiment who came to help clean up and rebuild. Most of the workers were sent by the Booth and Flinn Company of Pittsburgh to help remove acres of debris, recover dead bodies, dispose of animal corpses, tear down dangerous structures, and clear the riverbeds. The State Militia, directed by Adjutant General Daniel Hastings, maintained order and coordinated the distribution of supplies to the various relief agencies in the Valley. Temporary shops eventually replaced the tent camps in the park, but throughout the month of June, “Johnstown was a cross between a mining town and a military camp.” The park reopened in 1892.
Location. 40° 19.529′ N, 78° 55.11′ W. Marker is in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, in Cambria County. Marker is on Main Street, on the left when traveling east. Marker is between Park Place and Franklin Street. Touch for map
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. Marker is in this post office area: Johnstown PA 15901, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., June 26, 2009
2. Central Park and Marker
Looking north toward Gazebo and Park Place.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., June 26, 2009
3. Central Park Marker Photo
Flood surviving buildings standing on Main Street:
Griffith Drugstore, Alma Hall, Presbyterian Church.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 21, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,186 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on August 21, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
