The Great Flood of Denver 1864

[knocker]

Whilst researching something else I came across this interesting article.

Quote

THE most noted event in the history of Denver was the great flood in Cherry Creek, May 19, 1864.  In order to fully understand the devastation wrought by this rush of waters, one must first picture to himself the status of affairs at that time, which was essentially different from that of the present day.  There being but a little water in the creek at any time, it came to be looked upon as a dry stream, and little attention was paid to it as a water-course, while many buildings were planted on piles in the very bed of the creek itself.  The bridges of the period were low wooden structures, also raised on piles, a little above the sands, just high enough to obstruct the passage of the torrent which came down, and to spread it far and wide and high, in its devastating course. 

https://sites.google.com/site/denvercountycogenweb/books/history-of-the-city-of-denver/the-great-flood-of-1864

And

Title: The Great Flood, Denver, Colorado Territory, May 19, 1864 / George D. Wakely.

Date Created/Published: [1864].

Reproduction Number: LC-USZ62-5349 (b&w film copy neg.)

Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.print