July 10, 1888

Great Flood Devastates Rowlesburg

After prolonged heavy rain, the Cheat River surged through Rowlesburg. Contemporary reports said 17 houses, a sawmill, a planing mill, and an iron Baltimore & Ohio railroad bridge were washed away; five families lost everything, and damage at Rowlesburg was estimated at $125,000. Federal records place the flood peak at Rowlesburg on July 10, with an estimated discharge of 71,000 cubic feet per second.

Research status

This entry has completed the project’s verified review level.

Its date, wording, and supporting evidence have been reviewed to the level described by the project’s research standards.

How verification works

Sources and further reading

Where this entry comes from

U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Data West Virginia; The Kanabec County Times, July 19, 1888; Spirit of Jefferson, July 20, 1888

Keep exploring

Help strengthen this entry

Have a correction, source, or local detail?

Share what you know. The contribution form will automatically include this entry’s title and reference.

Contribute information