The Johnstown Flood Memorial

Johnstown, Pennsylvania is known for being devastated by a flood that occurred on May 31, 1889.  The flood was caused by the failure of the South Fork Dam, which had previously helped to contain a reservoir named Lake Conemaugh, along the south fork of the Conemaugh River.  The Johnstown Flood Memorial, including a visitor center and the remains of the dam, is located about nine miles east of Johnstown.  In the lower level of the visitor center is this bell, from a church that was destroyed in the flood.

Just outside the visitor center is house of Elias Unger, which used to overlook Lake Conemaugh, and which has been restored to its 1889 appearance.

Next to the house is a barn.

Back in the visitor center is a diorama showing a teenager named Victor Heiser clinging to some wreckage as it is carried by the floodwaters.

These railroad tracks are located where the lake used to sit.  A short trail from a parking lot on a road south over the visitor center leads to where the lake and dam once were.

Finally, this is a shot looking from an observation point on one side of the river and tracks to the another such point on the other side.  Between and below them is the former location of the dam.

Read more at the National Park Service's page, National Park Planner and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.