Image Not Available

Two Men Near Partially Collapsed Building During Flood, Hartford

PhotographerPhotographed by Thomas F. Oakes American, 1900 - 1966

Date1936

MediumPhotography; gelatin silver print on paper

DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (image height x width): 2 3/8 x 4 1/8in. (6 x 10.5cm)
Sheet (height x width): 2 3/4 x 4 1/2in. (7 x 11.4cm)

ClassificationsGraphics

Credit LineGift of Nora Howard

DescriptionTwo men wearing hats and high rubber boots pose in front of a brick and wood frame building that is partially collapsed. The building appears to be a warehouse, probably for construction material. There are several long thin pieces of wood that appear to have been standing upright, but that fell over when the wall collapsed. There is another brick building in the background, with a ladder leaning against the roof, and a man at the top of the roof. The ground appears to be muddy, and there is an uprooted bush near their feet.

Object number2001.21.6

MarkingsOn verso: in center, stamped in green ink: a fountain, with "FOUNTAIN / PHOTO SERVICE / APR 13 1936"; stamped in purple ink: "723"InscribedOn verso, in pencil: at top left, "1936.3"; bottom left, "[Hartford, Flood of 1936]"; accession number at bottom right.NotesSubject Notes: In March 1936, heavy rainstorms combined with melting snow led to severe flooding of the Connecticut River and its tributaries. Most of downtown Hartford along the Connecticut River and the Park River were inundated. Fourteen thousand people were left homeless, several were dead or missing, and epidemic desease threatened the population. The rainstorms continued for nine days. Overall damages exceeded $100 million. It was the most expensive weather event in New England up to that time.

Subject Terms