Near Fillmore in Ventura County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
St. Francis Dam Disaster
Photographed by Craig Baker, September 23, 2018
1. St. Francis Dam Disaster Marker
Three minutes before midnight on the night of March 12, 1928, the St. Francis Dam collapsed sending over twelve billion gallons of water and debris the length of the Santa Clara River Valley from San Francisquito Canyon through Piru, Fillmore, and Bardsdale to the Pacific Ocean fifty-four miles away.
In six hours more than 450 people were swept away, drowned in the dark and murky debris-filled water. Though some of the souls are buried here, many were never found. It was the worst man-made disaster of the 20th century.
On this 90th anniversary of the disaster, we remember you.
March 17, 2018, from the Communities of Piru, Bardsdale, and the City of Fillmore.
Erected 2018 by Fillmore Historical Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Disasters. A significant historical date for this entry is March 12, 1928.
Location. 34° 21.644′ N, 118° 56.496′ W. Marker is near Fillmore, California, in Ventura County. It can be reached from South Sespe Street south of South Mountain Road, on the left when traveling south. Located in Bardsdale Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address:
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles, on Central Coast, and in the Transverse Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Sycamore Tree (approx. 3 miles away); Fillmore's First Bank & Masonic Hall (approx. 3.1 miles away); Fillmore Grammar School (approx. 3.1 miles away); 317 Central Avenue (approx. 3.1 miles away); Fillmore State Bank (approx. 3.1 miles away); 320 Central Avenue (approx. 3.1 miles away); 328 Central Avenue (approx. 3.1 miles away); 338 Central Avenue (approx. 3.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fillmore.
Regarding St. Francis Dam Disaster. Although many reports say the number of dead was over 450, recent research has found
Photographed by Craig Baker, September 23, 2018
2. St. Francis Dam Disaster Marker
On March 12, 2019, the Saint Francis Dam Disaster National Monument was established.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. St. Francis Dam Disaster Sites.
Also see . . . Thesis by Ann Stansell. A detailed study of the human loss, 2014. (Submitted on September 25, 2018.)
Photographed by Craig Baker, September 23, 2018
3. Photo on Marker
This is the center section of the dam, still standing after the rest of the dam collapsed.
Photographed by Craig Baker, September 23, 2018
4. Nearby Tombstone
Describes the horror of the flood which took the lives of Mrs. Carrillo and seven of her children. Three of them were never found.
Recuerdo de tu esposo i de tu hija el cual se despidiσ de ti con gritos de dolor i de amargura por avernos encontrado conmigo en esa hora amarga de la muerte 13, de Mar. 1928 en donde espero en Dios que El se alla dolido de esos mis queridos seres en esta tumva descansan sus restos mortales
Maria de Jesus S. Carrillo de 33 de I. F. Carrillo · Matilde d. 11 · Zenoma d. 7 · Adolfo d. 6 · Anacleto d. 3 · No encontrados (Not recovered:) · Jose d. 13 · Isavel d. 2 · Marcela d. 2 ms
Translation: A remembrance by your husband and daughter who said goodbye to you that bitter time of your deaths March 13 1928; who hopes in God that He there mourns these, my beloved, whose mortal remains rest in these tombs.
Maria de Jesus S. Carrillo de 33 de I. F. Carrillo · Matilde d. 11 · Zenoma d. 7 · Adolfo d. 6 · Anacleto d. 3 · No encontrados (Not recovered:) · Jose d. 13 · Isavel d. 2 · Marcela d. 2 ms
Translation: A remembrance by your husband and daughter who said goodbye to you that bitter time of your deaths March 13 1928; who hopes in God that He there mourns these, my beloved, whose mortal remains rest in these tombs.
Photographed by Craig Baker, 2025
5. Road Signs near Cemetery
Photographed by Craig Baker, March 17, 2018
6. Marker Dedication Ceremony
At Fillmore City Hall on March 17, 2018. The marker sits on a stand to the right of the podium.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 24, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 805 times since then and 51 times this year. Last updated on March 13, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 24, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 5. submitted on June 5, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 6. submitted on September 24, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
