Picnic Area

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• Images

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• Welcome  to  Johnstown  Flood  National  Memorial,  a  unit  of  the  National  Park  Service.    Within  this  now  beautiful  national  park,  we  commemorate  one  of  the  darkest  days  in  American  history.    On  Friday,  May  31,  1889,  the  South  Fork  Dam,  the  remains  of  which  are  within  the  park,  failed,  sending  over  20,000,000  tons  of  water  hurtling  into  the  Conemaugh  Valley.    At  4:07  pm  that  afternoon,  the  flood  wave  struck  the  industrial  city  of  Johnstown.    $17,000,000  in  property  damage  occurred  and  an  official  total  of  2,209  men,  women,  and  children  were  killed.    While  in  the  park,  you  will  want  to  visit  our  Visitor  Center.    This  ranger-staffed  facility  contains  two  floors  of  exhibits  explaining  the  flood  and  why  it  happened.    Please  allow  enough  time  to  view  our  powerful,  award-winning  35-minute  film,  Black  Friday-parental  discretion  is  advised  for  the  film.    Park  rangers  will  be  on  hand  to  answer  questions  as  well  as  provide  information  and  directions  to  neighboring  historical  and  cultural  sites.    Please  note  that  there  is  a  $4.00  admission  fee  for  all  adults  age  16  and  older  not  possessing  an  America  the  Beautiful  pass.    Children  age  15  and  under  are  admitted  for  free.    You  can  also  hike  to  the  North  and  South  Abutments  of  what  remains  of  the  South  Fork  Dam.    Most  summer  days  the  Club  House  of  the  former  South  Fork  Fishing  and  Hunting  Club,  the  organization  that  owned  the  dam  when  it  broke,  is  open  and  staffed  by  a  park  volunteer.    For  more  information,  inquire  at  the  Visitor  Center  or  call  814-495-4643.

• Audio

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