The National Park Service
Johnstown Flood
National Memorial
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"It is an erroneous opinion that the dam burst--it simply moved away..."

The rain continued as men worked tirelessly to prevent the old South Fork Dam from breaking. Elias Unger, the president of the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club, was hoping that the people in Johnstown were heeding the telegraph warnings sent earlier, which said that the dam might go. When it finally happened, at 3:10 P.M., May 31, 1889, an era of the Conemaugh Valley's history ended, and another era started. Over 2,209 people died on that tragic Friday, and thousands more were injured in one of the worst disasters in our Nation's history.

Johnstown Flood National Memorial is located in southwestern Pennsylvania, about 10 miles northeast of Johnstown. The park contains nearly 165 acres and preserves the remains of the South Fork Dam and portions of the former Lake Conemaugh bed.  

 

Visit our Johnstown Flood Expanded Web Pages

VISITATION:
Highest in the summer months and lowest in December, January and February. Groups please call ahead for reservations.

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LOCATION:
Saint Michael, Pennsylvania

ADDRESS:
Johnstown Flood National Memorial
733 Lake Road
South Fork, PA 15956

TELEPHONE:
(814)495-4643

OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:
Open year-round, 9:00 AM-6:00 PM Memorial Day to Labor Day; 9:00 AM-5:00 PM the rest of the year. Closed January 1, Thanksgiving, and December 25th.

CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:
Generally warm and humid in the summer. Generally cold in winter, with snow possible from November through March. Layered clothing is recommended.

DIRECTIONS:
Take US 219 to Saint Michael/Sidman exit. Head East on PA 869. Turn left onto Lake Road at sign for Johnstown Flood National Memorial.

TRANSPORTATION:
To Park: No public transportation available.
In Park: Personal vehicle only.

FEES, COST, RATES:
Entrance fee: $2.00 for adults 17 and over; free for those 16 and under.

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:
The visitor center features multimedia exhibits including a fiber-optic map which describes the path of the Flood. Other exhibits tell the story of the fabled South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club.

A 35-minute motion picture recreates the Great Flood of 1889 and is shown daily at the visitor center.

A small booksales area, operated by Eastern National, provides more information on the Great Flood and related topics.

Walking trails to the north and south abutments of the South Fork Dam are available for visitor enjoyment. These trails are accessible. Trails closed during the winter.

A picnic area, located near the south abutment, is available for public use.
The visitor center, the picnic area, and most trails in the park are fully accessible.

Nearby, in the community of Saint Michael, remain some of the original buildings of the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club.

During the summer months, a variety of talks, tours, and other programs is available at the park. A complete schedule of daily activities is available at the visitor center.

No public lodging or camping facilities are available in the park. Lodging and camping facilities are available in nearby communities.

RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:
Reservations for school and other educational groups are accepted by phone or mail throughout the year. Tour groups are also welcome. Reservations should be made as soon as possible.

Special use permit requests should be directed to the Superintendent.

BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:
Allow one to two hours for your visit. The park film lasts 35 minutes. Call for film schedule.

SPECIAL EVENTS, PROGRAMS:
Each May 31, as part of the annual tribute to the victims of the Flood, special programs are held in cooperation with the Johnstown Area Heritage Association and the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club Historical Preservation Society. Contact the park for more information.

As part of the annual commemoration events, over 2,209 candles are lit each May 31, as a way of remembering those who died in the Flood.

Contact the park for a listing of programs and activities.

ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:
The Johnstown Flood Museum, in downtown Johnstown, features state of the art exhibits and an Academy Award winning motion picture. Admission fee charged. (814)539-1889

The Johnstown Inclined Plane, finished in 1891, is the steepest vehicular incline in the world and operates daily. (814)536-1816

Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site commemorates the first crossing of the Allegheny Mountains. This pioneer railroad ran from 1834-1854 and contributed heavily to our Nation's transportation heritage. The park's visitor center is located in Cresson, PA, and is open daily. (814)886-6150

Fort Necessity National Battlefield commemorates George Washington's first military action and his only surrender. The battle at Fort Necessity, on July 3, 1754, was one of the first sparks of the French and Indian War. The park also manages the Mount Washington Tavern, a museum that once served as a popular stagecoach stop along the National Road. The park is located along US Route 40, in Farmington, PA, and is open daily. (412)329-5512

Friendship Hill National Historic Site tells the story of Albert Gallatin, one of the most influential statesmen of our Nation's early history. Gallatin's house is located 15 miles south of Uniontown along PA Route 166. (412)725-9190

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Write:
Superintendent
Johnstown Flood National Memorial
110 Federal Park Road
Gallitzin, PA 16641.
Call (814)495-4643.
eMail Johnstown Flood National Memorial Please understand that mail requests requiring research do take time to answer. Allow up to two weeks for email or four weeks for postal replies.

Last Updated: July 16, 1999
http://www.nps.gov/jofl/
Author: Doug Richardson