Near Charlestown in Clark County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Great Flood of 1937

Photographed by Tom Bosse, June 13, 2026

1. Great Flood of 1937 Marker

Inscription.
70% of Louisville was under water
Following weeks of heavy rains, the Ohio River swelled over its banks in the Great Flood of 1937. Ranging from Pittsburgh to Cairo, Ill., the flood is considered one of the most powerful of the 20th century. Louisville was hardest hit among Ohio River cities.

The end of Rose Island
The Great Flood of 1937 destroyed Rose Island Amusement Park, covering it in ten feet of raging water. Though the park was closed when the flood occurred, Rose Island never reopened.

The Weather Bureau reported that flood damage in Kentucky alone was 250 million dollars – an incredible sum in 1937.

Did you know?
60 years passed before another flood of this magnitude was seen on the Ohio River.

[Caption:]
The swimming pool shown here overgrown and in disrepair, survived the flood but was later filled in to protect visitors to the site.

Erected by Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Parks & Recreational Areas • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Rose Island Amusement Park

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series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1937.

Location. 38° 25.598′ N, 85° 37.171′ W. Marker is near Charlestown, Indiana, in Clark County. It is on Trail #7 east of State Park Drive, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located on Trail #7 in Charlestown State Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3000 State Pk Dr, Charlestown IN 47111, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southern Indiana.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Ohio River Valley,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Rose Island Hotel (here, next to this marker); All Aboard the Steamboats! (here, next to this marker); Rose Island Cottages (a few steps from this marker); An Enormous Dining Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); The Zoo at Rose Island: Those amazing animals!

Photographed by Tom Bosse, June 13, 2026

2. Great Flood of 1937 Marker

Marker is in the middle.

(within shouting distance of this marker); The Swimming Pool: Perfect summer fun! (within shouting distance of this marker); History Talks: Advertisements and Articles from Rose Island (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Rose Island Amusement Park: The Summer’s Highlight (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charlestown.

Also see . . .
1. Historic Ohio River Flood of 1937. (Submitted on June 27, 2026, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)
2. Ohio River flood of 1937. (Submitted on June 27, 2026, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Tom Bosse, June 13, 2026

3. Great Flood of 1937 Marker

Marker is in the middle.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, June 13, 2026

4. Great Flood of 1937 Marker

Marker is in the middle. Arched entrance to Rose Island Amusement Park can be seen on the right.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 27, 2026, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 27, 2026, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.