Library puts out call for memories, photos of 1937 Cincinnati flood

Who: The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County

What: The Ohio River Flood Collection

When: This is an ongoing project. Call to make an appointment.

Where: The Main Library, 800 Vine Street

Why: This year is the 80th anniversary of the 1937 Ohio River Flood, when the river and its tributaries ravaged towns and cities along their banks after torrential rains. With a death toll of more than 350 people, an estimated 1,000,000 individuals left homeless, and damages set at $500,000,000, this disaster ranks as one of the worst in Ohio River history.  

The Library is looking to add to its online Ohio River Flood Collection. The Library would like to scan and incorporate your family’s photos, postcards, scrapbooks, diaries, and other memorabilia from during and after the historic flood of 1937, as well as earlier floods.

For more details or to make an appointment, email Katrina.Marshall@chpl.org, or call 513-369-4592.