- THE GREAT FLOOD OF MARCH 17, 1865
- Accumulation of ice in Avon, and a sudden March thaw cause the
worst flood in the city's history. Ninty percent of the streets in First
Ward are underwater. Water is 6' deep at the Four Corners, with 54,000
cubic feet of water flowing into the city every second. Two abandoned horse
drawn streetcars are swept off the flooded Main St. Bridge, one goes over
the falls along with it's horses. A New York Central Railroad Bridge collapses
and is also swept over the falls. Business fear future floods, and move
to higher ground to the east of the river. Total damage in western New
York exceeds $1 million. There were great floods in the Genesee valley
in the years 1785, 1817, 1818, 1835, 1841, and 1865.
Main Street Bridge,
looking northwest from the east bank of the Genesee.
Andrews Street Bridge as it
appeared March 18, 1865 at the peek of the Great Flood.
The Upper Falls of the Genesee
River as they appeared at the time of the Great Flood.
State Street as it appeared
looking north from the Four Corners, March, 18, 1865.
View at the Four Corners looking
south up Exchange Street, March, 18, 1865.
