The 1913 Dayton flood was the greatest natural disaster in Ohio history. 17 billion cubic feet of water rushed through downtown Dayton in 48 hours on March 23, just after Easter weekend. Over 800 people found shelter, food and welcome from the Marianists at St. Mary’s College, the school that later became University of Dayton. This collection of photographs, postcards, a student-run magazine, original footage and an oral history highlights events during and after the flood — and St. Mary’s significant role in providing relief.
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Wood structure demolished by flooding A wooden structure near the corner of Brown Street and Ludlow Street in Dayton. Men working on the cleanup efforts can be seen in the center right of the image. -
View of downtown Dayton during flood Postcard depicting flood damage in Downtown Dayton. Transcript of back of postcard reads 'Kraemer Art Cincinnati Postcard' Wrecked Buildings Dayton, Ohio, during Greatest Flood in Modern History, March, 1913. -
Structural damage to Steele High School Postcard shows the significant structural damage that Steele High School, located at the corner of Main and Monument Streets, suffered from the floodwaters. Transcript on back reads 'Pub. By The Acmegraph Co., Chicago' Steele High School undermined by water, Dayton, O. -
Scene of Fourth Street in downtown Dayton as flood waters receded This photograph was taken from the Dayton Daily News building on Fourth Street. Looking east, the Davies Building, home of Newsalt's Jewelry Store, Reed Shoe Company, and Dayton Savings & Trust, is visible in the center of the photograph. The building on the left of the photograph was the home of the Dayton Loan & Credit Company Bank. At its height, flood waters in this area reached the second stories of the buildings pictured. People can be seen in boats and wading through the waters to safety. -
Rescue boat being helped ashore Three women rescued from the flood waters are rowed to higher ground by a group of rescuers. Flood waters in the background appear to be around four feet in depth. -
Relief boat landing during flood Postcard showing a relief boat landing on high grounds. Several flooded buildings can be seen to the left. Transcript of back reads 'Kraemer Art Cincinnati Postcard' Relief Boat Landing during Great Flood March 1913 Dayton, O. -
Railroad bridge destroyed by flood A railroad bridge across the Miami River was destroyed by the high waters. -
Marianist brothers in front of St. Mary's Hall during flood (front) From left to right, this postcard shows Brother Leo Will, unidentified man, Brother Carl A. Will, and Brother Edward Gorman. The Marianist brothers provided refuge at St. Mary's Institute (today, the University of Dayton) to Daytonians displaced by floodwaters. Here they pose during the flood in front of St. Mary's Hall. -
Map of Dayton showing flood and evacuation areas The areas outlined in white and numbered experienced minimal flooding, and hosted refugees. The areas between the Miami River and the areas outline in white experienced the heaviest flooding. -
Main Street Bridge following flood Postcard depicting pile of wreckage in front of Main Street Bridge following the flood. Transcript of back reads 'Kraemer Art Cincinnati Postcard' Mass of Wreckage at Main St. Bridge Dayton, Ohio, during the Great Flood of March 1913. -
Looking eastward on West Fourth Street during 1913 flood View of flood waters looking eastward on West Fourth Street in Dayton. A rowboat carrying five passengers is visible in the center-right. -
Line of flood refugees at NCR factory Dayton residents seeking refuge from the 1913 flood at the National Cash Register factory. St. Mary's Hall is visible in the background.