Item 171: Photograph of the 1902 Flood in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, unknown photographer (Removed to Print Box #7), 1902

Item — Box: 21, Folder: 171

Staff Only

Photograph of the 1902 Flood in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, unknown photographer (Removed to Print Box #7), 1902

Dates

Created: 1902

Access:

All series and subseries within this collection are open for research, with the exception of a few files within the Academia series that are restricted. The Academia series contains financial and sensitive institutional records from Wilkes College, and financial report records from Princeton University that will remain restricted for 80 years upon creation.

Extent

1 items

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Additional Description

Type of Material:

Photograph

Condition Note:

Poor. (Water damage)

Measurements:

9 ¼ in. x 7 ⅜ in. {photograph}; 14 in. x 10 ⅞ in.

Description:

This photograph was taken on a bridge located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania while the Susquehanna River floods into the city. There is snow present on the bridge and rooftops. The Flood of 1902 brought much destruction to the Wyoming Valley region of Pennsylvania. The Valley experienced two major floods and a blizzard in the span of three months. Levees on the Susquehanna were not built until 1936. The water rose above 27 feet ten prior to Christmas in 1901 due to heavy rains. The rising temperatures caused the snow to melt. As flood water receded, the task of cleaning up mud continued during Christmas and New Year holidays into 1902. Wilkes-Barre is located in northeastern Pennsylvania in Luzerne county. It was founded in 1769 and re-incorporated as a city in 1869. The city’s rich coal mining history employed thousands of immigrants in the 19th century. The mining of anthracite coal was popular until the Knox Mine disaster that ultimately accelerated the collapse of the industry after World War II. The Wyoming Valley was originally inhabited by the Shawnee and Lenape Native Americans prior to its new settlement. The Susquehanna River is a major river located in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States and covers much of Pennsylvania. It stretches 444 miles long, making it the longest river on the East Coast, and the 16th largest river in the United States. The river is made up of two main branches including the North Branch and the West Branch. The river drains 27,500 square miles that includes much of Pennsylvania. The river empties into the northern part of the Chesapeake Bay.