1937 Flood in Cincinnati - Historical Home Movie Footage

This is an amateur documentary shot by my father, Cincinnati native A. Cedric Gordon, with the help of his father William L. Gordon. I am prejudiced, but I find this to be superb home-movie documentary filmmaking, a valuable document of one of the worst floods in US history. You'll see shots of downtown Cincinnati, Eastern Avenue (under water), New Richmond, Coney Island, panoramic shots probably taken from Eden Park, and some interesting post-flood damage. Water pumping shots quite possibly in Oakley (where my father and family lived). Also some road shots most likely taken along Kellogg Avenue/US 52. (And look quickly for a vintage era Kroger truck!)

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Cincinnati
• Ohio
• Ohio River
• floods
• 1937 Flood
• US 52
• Kentucky

[blgjaa]

I think that's a good guess.

Thanks for looking.

[blgjaa]

Not sure...I presume we are looking east in this shot from somewhere downtown. Possibly a street leading from Columbia Pkwy to Eastern? What's your guess? Thank you for the comment and glad you like the film. I'm happy to be able to share this 73 years after it was made!

[n0phaze]

This is outstanding footage! Definitely a huge part of Cincinnati's history. Do you happen to know what intersection is shown at the 2:49 mark?

[blgjaa]

@n0phaze Perhaps a side street leading from Delta Ave. to Eastern Ave.?

[Stringbean703]

Looks like looking south from 5th and Vine?



[RandomMadness47]

Amazing video! Born and raised Cincinnatian here :) Thanks for sharing this!

[kevinjb7]

Hello blgjaa...this is Mike Schell with FOX 19 news. Would love to run your story tonight! (Wednesday). Please get in touch with me ASAP. My my email is mschell@fox19.com. Thanks.

[RiMiFoster]

this is absolutely amazing!! i have watched it over and over and over. thanks for sharing!

[ericnotderek]

Greetings from Newport! :)  Look at the old Kroger truck @ 3:39!!

[RackPhoto]

Maybe you know this, but the Cincy Library is preparing a large exhibit on the 1937 flood in early 2012, maybe you could see if they are interested in this footage

[jnpies]

This is a gem. I wasn't born until 1948, but I heard about this flood from my earliest recollections. My parents lived through it. My mother, her siblings, and parents had to exit their house through a 2nd story dormer window onto the roof where a rowboat was their only means of transport. It must have been horrible. For people who don't like government, I must say that only the government could have solved this problem, and the army corp of engineers did just that.

[shane8109]

Nice! We need more history on here!

[ourDC888]

Interesting! Thank you!