On May 31, 1889, a massive earthen dam located 14 miles east of Johnstown broke under record rains, releasing 20 million tons of water into the little Conemaugh Valley. The flood hit Johnstown at 4:07 p.m. through the notch between Prospect and Green Hills. Eyewitnesses estimated the wave to be 37 feet high at its crest as it entered Johnstown, pushing a mountain of debris ahead of it. Upon entering the town, the flood wave broke into three major currents that cut across Johnstown and then crashed against the hill. The wave then backwashed up the Stoneycreek River as far as three miles and eventually came to rest behind the arches of the Pennsylvania Railroad Stone Bridge. The wreckage of Johnstown was crushed tightly behind the Stone Bridge and then caught fire on the night of May 31. The Inclined Plane was built as a direct result of the flood. In July 1889, the Cambria Iron Co. announced plans to develop the hilltop as a residential suburb and to build an incline to provide direct access to the city. The Inclined Plane opened on June 1, 1891, and the borough of Westmont grew quickly as residents continued to rebuild after the great disaster.

Photo: Anton Schwarzmueller

Photo: Anton Schwarzmueller

Johnstown, Pennsylvania · USA