An Uphill Town An Uphill Town Underwater: The flood Underwater: The flood that made history in that made history in

Sharon, VermontSharon, Vermont

University of VermontUniversity of Vermont

Gregory BaldwinGregory Baldwin

7/24/057/24/05

November, 1927 VermontNovember, 1927 VermontOctober, 1927 rainfall for the state of October, 1927 rainfall for the state of

Vermont was already 50% above Vermont was already 50% above normal. normal.

A tropical storm, thought to go out to A tropical storm, thought to go out to sea, collided with a high pressure sea, collided with a high pressure barrier in New England causing barrier in New England causing torrential downpours on Vermonttorrential downpours on Vermont

Governor Weeks pronounced the Governor Weeks pronounced the disaster as “The greatest disaster as “The greatest catastrophe in Vermont’s history”catastrophe in Vermont’s history”

9,000 people were left homeless; 275 9,000 people were left homeless; 275 houses destroyed;1500 damaged; houses destroyed;1500 damaged; 1250 bridges destroyed; 84 dead. 1250 bridges destroyed; 84 dead.

LS00172_001 (Present day Main St, Richford, VT)LS00172_001 (Present day Main St, Richford, VT)

LS00172_000 (Main St during the flood, Richford, VT)LS00172_000 (Main St during the flood, Richford, VT)

Sharon, VTSharon, VT

Sharon is a six square Sharon is a six square mile town located in mile town located in the eastern-central part the eastern-central part of Vermontof Vermont

Sharon was chartered in Sharon was chartered in 17611761

The White River flows The White River flows diagonally through the diagonally through the center of the towncenter of the town

Currently, there are 1411 Currently, there are 1411 people living in the people living in the town according to the town according to the 2000 census report2000 census report

www.mapquest.com (map of town) (map of town)

Highway bridge, center of townHighway bridge, center of town

Sharon’s location in the stateSharon’s location in the state

The 1927 Flood: Sharon, VTThe 1927 Flood: Sharon, VT

LS06374_000 (washout during the flood)LS06374_000 (washout during the flood)

Aerial view of Sharon and the white River, Aerial view of Sharon and the white River, November 1927, and April 2000November 1927, and April 2000

LS01448_000 (November 1927, White River LS01448_000 (November 1927, White River flooded)flooded)

LS01448_001 (April LS01448_001 (April 2000)2000)

Two aerial photographs, one taken in 1927, and the other taken in 2000.Two aerial photographs, one taken in 1927, and the other taken in 2000.In the 1927 photo, the destruction of the flood can be seen. There are flood In the 1927 photo, the destruction of the flood can be seen. There are flood deposits visible, along with the excess water expanding the width of the deposits visible, along with the excess water expanding the width of the river at the top of the picture. The 2000 Picture is the same, though without river at the top of the picture. The 2000 Picture is the same, though without the flood damage. The railroad bridge was rebuilt and there is now an the flood damage. The railroad bridge was rebuilt and there is now an interstate running through what use to be a forested area.interstate running through what use to be a forested area.

What happened to Sharon?What happened to Sharon?Markings were made along the Markings were made along the

northern interstate bridge of northern interstate bridge of how high the water rose during how high the water rose during the flood. the flood.

Currently, the markings read up Currently, the markings read up to sixteen feet. to sixteen feet.

The spring thaw usually raises The spring thaw usually raises the river in this spot not much the river in this spot not much more than a few feet. more than a few feet.

Water passing underneath the Water passing underneath the interstate bridge is seldom interstate bridge is seldom seen over one foot in depth.seen over one foot in depth.

The Flood: Sharon, VTThe Flood: Sharon, VT

Before the iron bridge was built in 1928, Before the iron bridge was built in 1928, there was a wooden bridge that stood there was a wooden bridge that stood in the same spot. It was swept away in the same spot. It was swept away during the flood. The new iron bridge during the flood. The new iron bridge was built higher and stronger than the was built higher and stronger than the old bridge. old bridge.

Restored in 1994, the iron bridge is still in Restored in 1994, the iron bridge is still in use todayuse today

(Current view) 7/05(Current view) 7/05

LS06374_001 (1928 new bridge)LS06374_001 (1928 new bridge)

LS06374_000 (washout during the flood)LS06374_000 (washout during the flood)

The Railroad BridgeThe Railroad Bridge

Just over $7,000,000 in damage was Just over $7,000,000 in damage was done to the railroads throughout done to the railroads throughout the state, including the Central the state, including the Central Vermont Railroad (CVRR) that Vermont Railroad (CVRR) that ran right through Sharon. ran right through Sharon.

The CVRR bridge in Sharon was one The CVRR bridge in Sharon was one of the first railroad bridges in the of the first railroad bridges in the valley to fall. valley to fall.

There is still debris in the water, left There is still debris in the water, left from the previous bridge, that from the previous bridge, that has proven to be treacherous to has proven to be treacherous to swimmers and bridge jumpers. swimmers and bridge jumpers. Though the water is naturally Though the water is naturally deep, railroad ties and spikes deep, railroad ties and spikes were left behind.were left behind.

LS01450_000 (the washout of the railroad bridge in Sharon, 1927)LS01450_000 (the washout of the railroad bridge in Sharon, 1927)

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

The Deaths Resulting: SharonThe Deaths Resulting: Sharon

3 of the 84 deaths that occurred 3 of the 84 deaths that occurred in Vermont happened in in Vermont happened in Sharon. Sharon.

Claude Reynolds and her two Claude Reynolds and her two children were washed away in children were washed away in their house, after an attempt their house, after an attempt to be saved by her brother. to be saved by her brother.

The picture shows where part of The picture shows where part of the highway washed out just a the highway washed out just a little south of Sharon. Steep little south of Sharon. Steep banks are visible where the banks are visible where the water washed away part of the water washed away part of the road. road.

LS01451_000 (Arial view of the white river)LS01451_000 (Arial view of the white river)

The Sharon DamThe Sharon Dam

It was the rush of water from the fall It was the rush of water from the fall of the dam that took the lives of the of the dam that took the lives of the

Reynolds family. It was also the Reynolds family. It was also the suspected reason for the amount of suspected reason for the amount of damage done to West Hartford, VT a damage done to West Hartford, VT a

few miles down the river.few miles down the river.

Pictures taken 7/05, The Sharon DamPictures taken 7/05, The Sharon Dam

Broad BrookBroad Brook

Two bridges along the Two bridges along the road were washed road were washed away due to the away due to the rising water of the rising water of the Broad Brook in Broad Brook in Sharon. Sharon.

(A view of one of the rebuilt bridges on Broad Brook, 7/05)(A view of one of the rebuilt bridges on Broad Brook, 7/05)

(A Shallow Chute of the Broad Brook in Sharon, 7/05)(A Shallow Chute of the Broad Brook in Sharon, 7/05)

Baldwin HillBaldwin Hill

The overflow of Quation The overflow of Quation Brook along Rt. 132 in Brook along Rt. 132 in Sharon caused a washout Sharon caused a washout on Baldwin Hill leading on Baldwin Hill leading into Strafford, VT.into Strafford, VT.

(Quation Brook, 7/05)(Quation Brook, 7/05)

(Baldwin Hill leading into Strafford, 7/05)(Baldwin Hill leading into Strafford, 7/05)

Sharon RoadsSharon Roads

After the flood, it was After the flood, it was estimated that more estimated that more than 25% of all the than 25% of all the roads in Sharon were roads in Sharon were washed out, including washed out, including the washout of the the washout of the steel highway bridge. steel highway bridge.

The picture shows part The picture shows part of the washout along of the washout along the highway in the highway in Sharon.Sharon.

LS06606_000 (Flood damage to the highway just south of Sharon)LS06606_000 (Flood damage to the highway just south of Sharon)

New Roads were built due to the damage the flood New Roads were built due to the damage the flood left behindleft behind

LS06607_000 (Construction work for a new road in Sharon)LS06607_000 (Construction work for a new road in Sharon)

Road Construction that was being done in Sharon for a cutoff road in 1928Road Construction that was being done in Sharon for a cutoff road in 1928

Closing Thoughts…Closing Thoughts…

The Flood of 1927 was one of the greatest The Flood of 1927 was one of the greatest disasters the state of Vermont has ever seen. disasters the state of Vermont has ever seen. The whole state felt the effects of the flood, The whole state felt the effects of the flood, along with other areas all throughout New along with other areas all throughout New England. England.

Sharon, the small town along the White River, Sharon, the small town along the White River, survived the disaster though it saw a survived the disaster though it saw a significant amount of damage. Roads, bridges, significant amount of damage. Roads, bridges, railroads, and homes were all destroyed along railroads, and homes were all destroyed along with people’s lives. Somehow, people were with people’s lives. Somehow, people were able to work together, and rebuild the small able to work together, and rebuild the small town into what it is today.town into what it is today.

PhotosPhotos

Photos:Photos:Landscape Change Program WebsiteLandscape Change Program Website

http://www.uvm.edu/perkins/landscape/http://www.uvm.edu/perkins/landscape/

(*Photos with LS captions)(*Photos with LS captions)

Other Photos taken by Gregory Baldwin.Other Photos taken by Gregory Baldwin.

Sharon, Vermont. July 23, 2005. Sharon, Vermont. July 23, 2005.

LS01448_001 (April 2000)LS01448_001 (April 2000)

(Sharon Church, and Historical Society 7/05)(Sharon Church, and Historical Society 7/05)

ReferencesReferences

Atwood, R.E. (1927) Stories and Pictures of the Vermont FloodAtwood, R.E. (1927) Stories and Pictures of the Vermont FloodBelding, P.W. (1996) Through Hell and High Water in Barre Vermont Belding, P.W. (1996) Through Hell and High Water in Barre Vermont Fava et al, Bailey, V.C. (November 2002) 75th Anniversary November 3-4 1927 FloodFava et al, Bailey, V.C. (November 2002) 75th Anniversary November 3-4 1927 FloodWaterbury Historical Society Waterbury Historical Society Johnson, L.B. (1996) The ’27 Flood: An Authentic Account of Vermonts Greatest Johnson, L.B. (1996) The ’27 Flood: An Authentic Account of Vermonts Greatest

Disasters. Greenhill Books. Randolph Center, Randolph, VT (Pages 141-145) Disasters. Greenhill Books. Randolph Center, Randolph, VT (Pages 141-145) Minsinger, W.E. (2002) 1927 Flood in Vermont and New England. Blue HillMinsinger, W.E. (2002) 1927 Flood in Vermont and New England. Blue Hill

Observatory pp 40-42Observatory pp 40-42Potash et al. (2004) Freedom and Unity: A History of Vermont. Vermont HistoricalPotash et al. (2004) Freedom and Unity: A History of Vermont. Vermont Historical

Society. Barre, Vermont. Society. Barre, Vermont. Rootsweb.com Rootsweb.com 2000. 20 July 2005 <http://www.rootsweb.com/~vermont/2000. 20 July 2005 <http://www.rootsweb.com/~vermont/1927NewEngFlood2.html> condensed from:1927NewEngFlood2.html> condensed from: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Ray Lyman Wilbur,Secretary UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Ray Lyman Wilbur,Secretary

U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, George Otis Smith, Director Water-Supply Paper 636-C UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, George Otis Smith, Director Water-Supply Paper 636-C UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE WASHINGTON: 1929 Contributions to the hydrology of the United States, 1929 (Pages 45-100)PRINTING OFFICE WASHINGTON: 1929 Contributions to the hydrology of the United States, 1929 (Pages 45-100)  

Sharon Historical Society. History Pamphlet on town of Sharon. 2005Sharon Historical Society. History Pamphlet on town of Sharon. 2005““Sharon Vermont” Sharon Vermont” Vermont TownsVermont Towns 20 July 2005. <http://vermonttowns.com/ 20 July 2005. <http://vermonttowns.com/

Sharon/welcome.html>Sharon/welcome.html>““Sharon, Vermont” Sharon, Vermont” Wikipedia.orgWikipedia.org 2 May 2005. 20 July 2005. <http://en.wikipedia.org/ 2 May 2005. 20 July 2005. <http://en.wikipedia.org/

Wiki/Sharon%2C_Vermont> Wiki/Sharon%2C_Vermont> ““Sharon, Vermont” Sharon, Vermont” MapquestMapquest 24 July 2005. <http://www.mapquest.com/maps> 24 July 2005. <http://www.mapquest.com/maps>““Vermont’s Great Moments in the 20th Century” Vermont’s Great Moments in the 20th Century” Vermont TodayVermont Today 1999. 20 July 2005 1999. 20 July 2005

<http://www.vermonttoday.com/century/topstories/flood.html ><http://www.vermonttoday.com/century/topstories/flood.html >Vermont Only. 2005. 20 July 2005 <http://www.vtonly.com/hstysep2.htm> cited from: Vermont Only. 2005. 20 July 2005 <http://www.vtonly.com/hstysep2.htm> cited from:

Johnson, C.W. 1988. The Nature of Vermont. University press of New England, Johnson, C.W. 1988. The Nature of Vermont. University press of New England, Hanover, New HampshireHanover, New Hampshire

Virtual Vermont Internet Magazine: Sharon. 14 June 2005. 20 July 2005. Virtual Vermont Internet Magazine: Sharon. 14 June 2005. 20 July 2005. <http://www.virtualvermont.com/towns/sharon.html><http://www.virtualvermont.com/towns/sharon.html>