Johnstown in Cambria County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Tribune Building
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 7, 2009
1. Tribune Building Marker
On May 31, 1889, George T. Swank, editor and publisher of the Johnstown Tribune, was preparing the weekly issue of the paper on the second floor of this building. The rising waters outside drew him to the office windows to report on the situation below. At 2:30 p.m. he noted that the water stood about a foot deep on Franklin Street. Downstairs, Postmaster Herman Baumer had closed up the post office and gone home. The Tribune staff had given up trying to print the newspaper and was restlessly awaiting the recession of the waters, as were the rest of the marooned Johnstowners.
"It is idle to speculate," Swank wrote, "what would be the result if the tremendous body of water...should be thrown into the already submerged Conemaugh Valley."
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Disasters • Man-Made Features. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1889.
Location. 40° 19.481′ N, 78° 55.091′ W. Marker is in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, in Cambria County. Marker is on Franklin Street near Main Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 209 Franklin Street, Johnstown PA 15901, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Joseph Johns (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Central Park (about
this page online
Also see . . .
1. History of the Johnstown Flood. (Submitted on March 26, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Johnstown Flood National Memorial. (Submitted on March 26, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 7, 2009
2. Tribune Building Marker
Photographed By Unknown, circa June 1889
3. Photo on Tribune Building Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on March 26, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 600 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 26, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
