The Johnstown Flood of 1889

An estimated two hundred photographers rushed to Johnstown to record what was clearly the greatest natural disaster of the 19th century. Carrying ponderous box cameras, tripods, black hoods, flash powder, and other paraphenalia, the photographers clambered over the debris to photograph the wreckage from all angles. Most of them were making a collection of stereographs and lantern slides, the popular precursors of today's slide show. Though sometime nuisances to the rescue and cleanup efforts, the photographers created a rich document of the aftermath of the Great Flood. Softcover, 64 pages.

By Paula and Carl Degen. Printed in the USA.