On May 31, 1889, the people of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, got the surprise of the century, one that claimed the lives of more than 2,200 men, women, and children. In the mountains that overlooked the booming coal-and-steel town, the restless waters of Lake Conemaugh churned behind the South Fork Dam, a hastily built earthen structure. The soft rain that had been falling that afternoon took an angry turn, filling the belly of Lake Conemaugh over capacity.In a matter of hours, the lake began spilling over the top and ultimately burst its earthen restraints. Like a roaring hurricane, 20 million...
On May 31, 1889, the people of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, got the surprise of the century, one that claimed the lives of more than 2,200 men, women, and...
