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Apr 20, 2023

📷 Throwback Thursday: Hutch - Then & Now Collection - Vol. 14

Posted Apr 20, 2023 11:00 AM
1929 Flood - Two guys in front of Wiley building. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.
1929 Flood - Two guys in front of Wiley building. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.

Hutch Post, in partnership with Steve Harmon and the Conard-Harmon Collection, is proud to present Throwback Thursday. Enjoy a weekly release from Steve Harmon as he presents the "Hutch - Then & Now Collection."

STEVE HARMON
Hutch Post Contributor

Today's "Throwback Thursday Collection" takes us to the intersection of First Avenue and North Main Street at The Wiley Plaza.

On Thursday, July 11, 1929, Lyons had 11 inches of rain. All that deluge collected into the Cow Creek Watershed and headed southeast.

On Friday, July 12, 1929, The Hutch News headline was "Hutchinson Will Be Flooded," telling all the citizens a great wall of water would sweep in from the north.

Ben Lee, the city engineer, took an airplane ride toward Lyons to look for himself. The wall of water was three miles wide and four-feet deep. He predicted the water would begin pouring into Hutchinson about 8 p.m.

The dike gates were raised, but were overwhelmed. Saturday, July 13, downtown water levels ranged from one-to-four feet. Train service was entirely cut off because of washed-out tracks. The News basement was submerged, where the presses were.

Wichita had to print the local paper. The next four photos are among the thousands taken. These are specifically from 1st & Main.

The first is from the top of the Wiley building looking west toward the Soldier & Sailor monument.

1929 Flood - 1st St. - looking east from Wiley building: 7-13-29. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.
1929 Flood - 1st St. - looking east from Wiley building: 7-13-29. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.

The second is of two fellows out in 1st street, showing the velocity of the water.

1929 Flood - Two guys in front of Wiley building. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.
1929 Flood - Two guys in front of Wiley building. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.

The third is of the intersection, showing the American National Bank in the background.

1929 Flood - American National Bank - S.E. Corner 1st & Main - 1929 Flood. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.
1929 Flood - American National Bank - S.E. Corner 1st & Main - 1929 Flood. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.

The fourth shows cars of the era in front of the Wiley building. The photo once again shows the water speed.

1929 Flood - Wiley building flood waters July 13. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.
1929 Flood - Wiley building flood waters July 13. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.

This was Hutchinson's greatest natural disaster. It caused more than $1 million in damage — in 1929 dollars!

To purchase a print, contact: [email protected].

Throwback Thursday is brought to you by:

Gambino's Pizza
Sleep Shoppe & Furniture Gallery
Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce
STRATACA Kansas Underground Salt Museum

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