Bristol in Bristol County, Rhode Island — The American Northeast (New England)
Historical Hurricane Flooding
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Flood awareness is important to Bristol's community of residents, businesses and visitors. These historic photos depict the destruction to the town from the 1938 Hurricane.
❶ "Mount Hope Diner owner Arthur Duffy was crowned one of the heroes of the day. A number of people sought shelter at the diner thinking it would prove a safe refuge. But as the waters mounted higher and higher the cars in the front parking area began crashing against the comparatively fragile structure of the diner."
Bristol Phoenix
September 30, 1938
❷ "The Franklin Street railroad and express station is almost beyond repair. The night watchman, Charles Johnson, reported that the hundreds of birds that make the station their home all disappeared Tuesday night long before the storm struck on Wednesday."
Bristol Phoenix
September 23, 1938
❸ "It is impossible to adequately describe the havoc which has been wrought in every section of town. Along the waterfront damages was caused almost entirely by the mighty power of wind and wave. The rest of the Town was damaged mostly by falling trees. The only streets that are not covered with fallen trees are those trees which had no trees at all."
Bristol Phoenix
September 23, 1938
❹"The two mammoth gas storage tanks once located at the old "sugar house" had a wild ride. One is at a crazy angle on what was the stone wall on the west side of Town Bridge and the other is way up above the head of Mill Pond and forms one of the strangest sights left by the hurricane."
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Bristol Phoenix
September 23, 1938
Photographs provided by the Bristol Historical and Preservation Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Disasters • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is September 30, 1938.
Location. 41° 40.391′ N, 71° 16.74′ W. Marker is in Bristol, Rhode Island, in Bristol County. Marker is on Thames Street south of Franklin Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 448 Thames St, Bristol RI 02809, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Columbus Quincentennial Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); The War of Independence / Honor Roll (within shouting distance of this marker); Historical Bristol (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Historical Bristol (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Historical Bristol
Credits. This page was last revised on May 9, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 9, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 40 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 9, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
