Looking back at 1937, the national unemployment rate was hovering around 14 percent, bread was 9 cents a loaf, Franklin D. Roosevelt had just begun his second term as president, and the average cost of a home was $4,100.
In May, the Hindenburg would explode at Lakehurst, New Jersey and in July, pilot Amelia Earhart would disappear for ever.
Locally, disasters had already struck the Ohio River Valley.
After more than 12 inches of rain fell in a short period in late January 1937, along the Ohio and Mississippi River region, residents were fighting flood waters which changed the landscape and inspired flood control improvements.
On Feb. 3, 1937, President Roosevelt presented a request to Congress for almost $3 billion for flood control improvements. This money was spent on improving dikes and levee systems in areas such as the Ohio River and lower Mississippi River.
At Maysville, prior to the construction of the current floodwall/levee system, not just low-lying areas, but homes, streets and businesses all through the city were attacked by Ohio River waters; the fountain on Market Street was surrounded by river water.
Residents from Foster to Vanceburg, and beyond, were forced to higher ground and boats became the main source of transportation, until the river receded.
“One of the worst parts, I have been told, was the martial law after the disaster,” said current Maysville Mayor David Cartmell.
According to historians, many buildings along the river floated off their foundations, or were damaged by flood debris. Some were demolished following the flood and others survived and still stand today.
“We are very fortunate today to have the levee and floodwall, and we hope it will prevent future disasters,” Cartmell said. “In my lifetime, I think the closest we got to similar conditions on the river was 1997, but the ice melt was slower than anticipated in Pennsylvania, so the river did not get to the 70 feet they predicted.”
In 1937, the river was estimated to be at 75.2 feet at the time the city was inundated.
Older residents still tell of how fast the waters rose and the icy aftermath as temperatures froze receding waters inside buildings which had lost heat due to flooding.
A parking lot now marks the spot where the Porter Funeral home had been in 1937 on the east end of Second Street, in Maysville, with water filling the building to the second floor.
In the 1950s the floodwall system at Maysville was completed, sparing most of the city from major harm in subsequent floods.
West Second Street was underwater during the 1937 flood. Some of
the original buildings are still standing.
No longer standing, the Porter Funeral Home was swamped by Ohio
River water during the 1937 flood. It formerly stood on the east
end of Second Street near Main Street.
This is a view of Second Street in Maysville from approximately
Limestone Street, facing west during the 1937 flood.
Looking down Elizabeth Street from Fourth Street in Augusta during the 1937 flood.
Men in boat on Market Street facing north during 1937 flood in Maysville.
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