Allegany County, NY -  Local History & Genealogy Site
Note: Bookmark this website before going offsite so you can return here...

Home Page
Site Map

Search this Website

Message Board

Allegany Co. National Historic Registrations
 
Allegany County Links
 
Biographies
 
BLACKSMITHS, TIMBER, SAWMILLS & NAILS
 
Burials
 
Cemeteries
 
Genealogies
 
Historians of Towns
 
History of County
 
Libraries
 
Maps of the County
 
Newspapers
 
Obituaries
 
Oil
 
Pictures of Yesteryear
 
"Unknown"  Picture Page
 
Racing History
 
Schools of the County
 
Stories & Folklore
 
Surnames
 
TOWNS &  VILLAGES
 
Transportation:
     Plank Roads
     Railroads
     Stagecoaches
     Waterways
 
Veteran Lists
 
Historical Societies & Museums LIST

 

 
Disclaimer

return to: Wellsville Town Page

 

Much has been written about the "Flood of '72" when Hurricane Agnes dealt Allegany County a devastating blow not once, but, circling around and wiping through the County a second time.

Almost everyone had a story to tell--including this webmaster--about what happened during the storm and the damage after.

During the initial flood threat, Mayor Robert Gardner asked local photographer, Dick Neal, to start shooting photos since the damage would have to be substantiated for claim procedures to governmental agencies and insurance companies.

Dick started shooting and during the flood week and short period thereafter produced in the neighborhood of 1000 shots of scenes of the area.  A few of the pictures were used to produce a photogallery by local media at the time, but, most were used and then stored.  All are black and white photos.

Thanks to retired Village of Wellsville Public Works Director, Don MacFarquhar, many of these Dick Neal Photos are being shown here.  Although these are only a small sample of the total collection, they were chosen as the centerpieces and render a look at the area to a generation of young adults who were not around 34 years ago.

1972 Agnes Flood

Dick Neal Photography

Page 1

Wellsville became a Lake!!

(Tap small images to view an enlarged view...then use back button on your browser to return here.)

Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4
 
 

All that is left of the Hospital...........

 

Attempt to save Pearl Street Bridge..........

 

Before the Bridge Collapse at Pearl Street....

 

Scene beside Brooklyn Street School....

Damage at BigNPlaza; Note the 1972 Gas Price

 

Bridge at Pearl Street is weakening and nearing collapse.

Brimmer Brook Unleashed!!

Chevrolet Dealership beside Dyke Creek, under water....

Between the two storms, before collapse.

From Railroad Tracks behind Chevy Dealership looking toward Main Street

 

With damage to Hospital, Church Parish Hall, and the Church Building unstable, they cling to the bank for life.

 

Lutheran Church Parish Hall clings to the bank in broken form;  The Church building itself has a weakened foundation which cracked and proved unsafe.

 

Dyke Creek has become a lake.  Viewed from Railroad bridge behind Chevrolet Dealership toward Collins Building Supplies and Agway.

The aftermath of the flood at Dyke Street residence.

 

Damage in are of Bolivar Road and the Village Public Works property.

 

East Fassett Street from railroad tracks to Main Street becomes "Fassett Lake"

The tedious job of filling the riverbank back....near Pearl Street and Hospital.

A normally quiet and dry valley becomes lake from hill to hill.

A battle lost!!  Pearl Street Bridge lies in the bottom of the river, the casualty of Hurricane Agnes

Former Sinclair Refinery buildings......soaking in water and mud....

---continue to Page 2

 

return to: Wellsville Town Page