1913 Flood Exhibit at the Stone Academy

Now Open

Our new, temporary exhibit features photos and artifacts from the horrible flood of 1913. The 12 vignettes produced by WHIZ and Tom Brown's slide show are part of the exhibit as are many of Gary Allen's photos that were on display at the library in March. Exhibit hours are Wednesday-Friday, 1:00-4:00, and Saturday 10:00-1:00. Admission to the Stone Academy Historic Site and Museum is $3.00 for adults and $1.00 for students.

     "In times of danger the average person loses all self-control and the thought uppermost in the mind is self-preservation. When there is danger of drowning the average man loses all moral sense. He will push aside his dearest friend to save himself. He will drag to death the hand which is outstretched to save him.

     This book has been prepared with this belief and for a two-fold purpose: first, to preserve a record of the greatest flood that ever visited Zanesville; secondly, to honor the brave men who risked their lives to save others. With no thought of their own safety, with no hope of reward, these noble heroes braved every danger to give succor to those in distress.

     Therefore, as no provision was made out of any fund with which to acknowledge appreciation of their unselfish sacrifices, the happy thought came to the undersigned to publish this history and to devote the entire net proceeds to the purchase of appropriate valor-medals, which will be presented to all the Zanesville 1913 flood heroes of whom we have a record."     

                                       A.E. Starr, Publisher's Forward

                      Zanesville in the Flood of 1913 by Thomas W. Lewis.

     When the book did not sell Mr. Starr paid for the medals out of his own pocket. One of the medals was awarded to Putnam grocer R.L. Miller (pictured below) for saving 150 workers at the Mark Manufacturing Company (Tube Mill) in Lower Putnam. It is on display at the Stone Academy Museum. To read Mr. Lewis' extensive account of the flood online, click here.