Piru in Ventura County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
St. Francis Dam Disaster
90th Anniversary
Photographed By Craig Baker, March 18, 2018
1. St. Francis Dam Disaster Marker
This memorial is dedicated to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the St. Francis Dam Disaster.Just before midnight on March 12, 1928, the dam collapsed and sent billions of gallons of water down the San Francisquito Canyon, eventually meeting the Santa Clara River on its way to the Pacific Ocean.
Many local families who worked and lived near the river on the ranches of Newhall & Camulos, along with residents from Piru & Buckhorn, were swept away. Some survived, most perished, and some were never found. Left forever, entombed in the mud of the river.
May they all be at peace. God bless.
Erected 2018 by Piru Cemetery Board.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Disasters. A significant historical date for this entry is March 12, 1928.
Location. 34° 24.911′ N, 118° 48.268′ W. Marker is in Piru, California, in Ventura County. Marker is on Center Street, half a mile west of Main Street, on the left when traveling west. Marker is in the Piru Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3580 Center Street, Piru CA 93040, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8
this page online
Regarding St. Francis Dam Disaster. 430 lives were lost in the flood. It was the worst man-made disaster of the 20th century.
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 . . .
1. Santa Clarita Valley History. An extensive collection of articles, photos, videos, and information relating to the St. Francis Dam Disaster. (Submitted on March 18, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.)
2. The Story of the St. Francis Dam. 6¾ minute video story published by the City of Santa Clarita in 2018. (Submitted on March 9, 2019.)
Photographed By Craig Baker, March 18, 2018
2. St. Francis Dam Disaster Marker
19 of the flood victims are buried here at Piru Cemetery. Some had survived the flood by swimming to safety, but died a few days later because of exposure to contaminated water.
Photographed By Craig Baker, March 18, 2018
3. Commemoration Day, March 18, 2018
Photographed By Craig Baker, March 18, 2018
4. Marker builder Richard G. Morales.
He used river rock from the nearby Santa Clara River flood zone.
Photographed By Craig Baker, March 18, 2018
5. Piru Cemetery.
Victims’ graves have crosses and flowers added on this day for the unveiling of the marker.
Photographed By Konrad R Summers, March 15, 2009
6. What is left of the St. Francis Dam
It is some 20 miles northeast of here, reachable by San Francisquito Canyon Road.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 17, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 18, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 498 times since then and 120 times this year. Last updated on March 13, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 18, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 6. submitted on May 13, 2010, by Konrad R Summers of Santa Clarita, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
