1913 Flood Book - 2nd Printing Now Available

1913: Preserving the Memories of Dayton’s Great Flood is a publication that will be of interest to the professional archivist and the casual history buff, as well as helpful to individuals creating exhibits, publications and institutional disaster preparedness plans.

Flood history and technology, personal memories and archival documentation are included in the book. University of Dayton professor Una M. Cadegan explains why a community or individual yearns for a connection to past disasters. Dayton’s only living flood survivor Charles Otterbein Adams relates his experiences and those of his twin sister Lois, and his family during and after the flood. Professor Emeritus Carl Becker of Wright State University details the history of flooding in the Dayton area, and the realization after the 1913 disaster that the Miami Valley needed a major plan for flood control. He describes the year long battle to establish the Miami Conservancy District, created in 1914 to build a system of dams which continue to protect the Miami Valley from devastating floods. Chief Engineer of the Miami Conservancy District, Douglas N. Johnson, outlines the history of the conservancy district, the construction of the network of dams and continuing efforts to preserve and improve the efficiency of the system. Finally, the need for protecting a community’s historical materials from the ravages of flooding is addressed by Dayton Metro Library Director Timothy Kambitsch.

Library archivist Elli Bambakidis coordinated the flood symposium and edited the publication. Some of the rare photographs included in the book may be found through the Local History link on our Dayton Metro Library web site.

Copies of 1913: Preserving the Memories of Dayton’s Great Flood may be purchased for $25 at the Service Desk in the library Magazine Room, 215 E. 3rd St. in downtown Dayton. Library hours are 9:00 – 9:00 Monday – Thursday, 9:00 – 5:30 Friday and Saturday. For more information call 227-9500 ext. 310.

Copies may also be purchased by mail for $27 (including shipping) Make checks payable to "Dayton Metro Library" and send with your address to Dayton Metro Library, Local History Room, 215 E. Third St., Dayton, OH 45402.