South Side Flats in Pittsburgh in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Flood Of 1936

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 30, 2021

1. The Flood Of 1936 Marker

Inscription. On March 16, 1936, the weather was warmer than usual. Torrential rains had followed a cold and snowy winter, leading to the rapid melting of snow and ice on the upper Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers and their tributaries. The waters were already over their banks and threatening the City. The next day, March 17th, the waters reached a flood stage of 25 feet. Additional heavy rains overnight caused the water to rise quickly. On the 18th, the water peaked at about 46 feet. This was 21 feet above flood stage. The water went well beyond the second floor of Page's Gas Station, at the corner of East Carson Street and Beck's Run Road. Onlookers were standing on the train trestle crossing Beck's Run Road. The only way to get around was by boat or canoe. Five days later, on March 24th, the water finally receded to 24 feet.

Photographs courtesy of Page Dairy Mart and The Baldwin Historical Society. Design and production Modern Reproductions, Inc.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is March 18, 1936.

Location. 40° 24.689′ N, 79° 57.301′ W.

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Marker is in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in Allegheny County. It is in the South Side Flats. It is on Three Rivers Heritage Trail 1.3 miles south of Hot Metal Bridge, on the right when traveling south. Not accessible to motorized vehicles. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pittsburgh PA 15210, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in the Ohio River Valley,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Coal Tipple (within shouting distance of this marker); 4600 East Carson Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Redman's Mills (approx. 0.2 miles away); St. Francis of Assisi (approx. 0.7 miles away); Church of the Good Shepherd (approx. ¾

Three Rivers Heritage Trail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 30, 2021

2. Three Rivers Heritage Trail

mile away); First Hungarian Reformed Church (approx. 0.8 miles away); Jones and Laughlin (approx. one mile away); Eliza Furnace (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pittsburgh.

Also see . . . Friends of the Riverfront. (Submitted on June 1, 2021.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 1, 2021, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 361 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 1, 2021, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.