Free Republic

The Johnstown Flood Museum in downtown Johnstown has been closed indefinitely due to flooding caused by a valve failure on the building's third floor, museum officials said. Water poured through the walls, resulting in damage to the facility. Fortunately, items of historic importance, such as artifacts and archives, were not affected, officials said. The damage primarily involves carpets, drywall, and ceiling tiles, which need to be dried out or replaced.

Was the Johnstown Flood - 120 years ago today - a direct cause of today's socialism? No. Certainly Step 1 (The Union Pacific's Credit Mobilier Scandal) was far more hurtful as a propaganda tool against "those evil rich white male Republicans" corrupting government and "oppressing the working man" while getting rich. And, the Credit Mobilier scandal is probably (today!) more to blame as the left's most long-lasting scandal that ties together EVERY thing they hate about capitalist America, inductry, republicans, industry, males, the rich, etc. But the Johnstown Flood had (has!) its role as well: The "evil, wealthy, uncaring" idle...

  "A Roar Like Thunder..." On June 1,1889, Americans woke to the news that Johnstown, Pennsylvania had been devastated by the worst flood in the Nation's history. Over 2,200 were dead, with many more homeless. When the full story of the flood came to light, many believed that if this was a "natural" disaster, then surely man was an accomplice.Johnstown in 1889 was a steel company town of Germans and Welsh. With a population of 30,000, it was a growing and industrious community known for the quality of its steel. Founded in 1794, Johnstown began to prosper with the...