The 1936 Flood in Watsontown, Pa

"DAMAGE AT MILTON HIGH; WATSONTOWN LITTLE AFFECTED 

Milton's flood picture was not as desolate as pictured in first reports from the isolated town, information given by Rev. Eugene S. Keller of Watsontown following a trip through the receding waters Saturday revealed. Heavy losses were Inflicted, however, when a wall of water from six to twelve feet high swept through the entire section of the town between the river and the railroad. All buildings in that area which Includes the business district were flooded.

Watsontown, however, escaped with minor damage, and although considerable loss resulted to owners of farms In the vicinity, only one flood death was reported, the victim having been Charles Hauck of Milton. "One house remains standing on Montgomery Island, between Milton and West Milton," Rev. Keller said. Another was wrecked against the side of the bridge. The grandstand in the ball park remained standing." 

The Watsontown River Bridge, March 19th 1936, at 8am

In March of 1936, 3 days of floods caused 175 death throughout Pennsylvania, and caused more than half a billion dollars in damage. The 1936 St Patricks Day Floods remain on the list of the worst floods to ever occur in the Susquehanna River Valley.

10th Street, Watsontown PA

"Homes along the river front remained intact, despite reports to the contrary, although the washing out of retaining walls and foundations caused serious loss. Most of the retaining walls are intact, however. "

The Wright House, on Canal Street In Watsontown

"At Watsontown, the homes of Frank Wright, Chris Reitz, Mrs. Catherine Stroh and Calvin Kunkle, located along "the river, were badly damaged. "

"The old ferry house, which withstood the flood of 1889, showed a water level 18 inches higher than in '89. The rear of the building, however, was torn away, however. 

The gym of the high school was flooded and sessions were suspended Thurs day and Friday. 

The home of M. L. Walker was also damaged."

Watsontown Park, in the 1936 Flood

The Community Park was flooded but apparently not damaged. We were isolated, however. In the vicinity of Allenwood the Lee Nicely tenant house was washed away. Occupants of farms in the vicinity, although their homes were flooded, refused to vacate. Above Milton a building at the Dinty Mors service station and another at Harman service station were washed away. Others In the vicinity were intact..

The Watsontown Canal, in the 1936 Flood

The Brick Factory just below Watsontown, in the 1936 flood

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More 1936 Flood Photos

Lewisburg    Milton  Montgomery    Sunbury   Watsontown  Williamsport

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Mount Carmel Item, March 1936

DAMAGE AT MILTON HIGH; WATSONTOWN LITTLE AFFECTED 

Milton's flood picture was not as desolate as pictured in first reports from the isolated town, information given by Rev. Eugene S. Keller of Watsontown following a trip through the receding waters Saturday revealed. Heavy losses were Inflicted, however, when a wall of water from six to twelve feet high swept through the entire section of the town between the river and the railroad. All buildings in that area which Includes the business district were flooded.

Watsontown, however, escaped with minor damage, and although considerable loss resulted to owners of farms In the vicinity, only one flood death was reported, the victim having been Charles Hauck of Milton. "One house remains standing on Montgomery Island, between Milton and West Milton," Rev. Keller said. Another was wrecked against the side of the bridge. The grandstand in the ball park remained standing.

"Homes along the river front remained intact, despite reports to the contrary, although the washing out of retaining walls and foundations caused serious loss. Most of the retaining walls are intact, however. "At Watsontown, the homes of Frank Wright, Chris Reitz, Mrs. Catherine Stroh and Calvin Kunkle, located along "the river, were badly damaged. The old ferry house, which withstood the flood of 1889, showed a water level 18 inches higher than in '89. The rear of the building, however, was torn away, however. The gym of the high school was flooded and sessions were suspended Thurs day and Friday. The home of M. L. Walker was also damaged.

The Community Park was flooded but apparently not damaged. We were isolated, however. In the vicinity of Allenwood the Lee Nicely tenant house was washed away. Occupants of farms in the vicinity, although their homes were flooded, refused to vacate. Above Milton a building at the Dinty Mors service station and another at Harman service station were washed away. Others In the vicinity were intact..