Browse Items (533 total)

Written Memory

The day after the Flood, Derald and a neighbor launched Derald's boat in Box Elder Creek and were able to rescue a 12-year-old boy that had been clinging to a tree the entire evening. They also found five people stranded on the roof of a house and…

Derek Leonard's recollection of the 1972 flood. Recorded during the 50th Anniversary event at Rapid City Public Library.

Agnes Pletcher Detwiler , was born June 30, 1914 in Westmoreland County PA to, Wallace Pletcher and Mary Beltz Withrow Pletcher.

In the 1920 census the family is in Donegal Westmoreland County PA and includes besides Agnes siblings: Margaret, Iva…

[Northwest quarter, southwest quarter, section 9, township 1 north, range 7 east] Rise of water near home; Heard evacuation notice about 10:30 p.m.; Family tried to evacuate in car, trapped by water rise of approximately four feet; Car engulfed by…

Written Memory

Written Memory

Erma L. Dick, 50. She was from Pierre and was visiting an aunt who lived near the Baken Park Shopping Center. They both perished in the flood. She was survived by three sons and two daughters. Buried in the Ricelake Cemetery, Delavan, MN.

Dr. Lowell Dieter, 40. He was the associate professor in the department of chemistry at the School of Mines. He and his wife were hosting German Band members in their home when they were forced to evacuate. He and his daughter, Patricia, were swept…

Patricia H. Dieter, 8. She was swept from her mother saying, “Mommy my feet aren’t touching the ground anymore.” She was survived by her mother, one brother and one sister.

Gwendolyn R. Dietzel. A baby living with her parents on West St. Louis Street. She was survived by her parents. Buried in the Chapel Hill Garden South Cemetery in suburban Cook County, Illinois.

This video was a production of the Montana-Dakota Utilities Company, donated to the Rapid City Public Library's 1972 Black Hill Flood Oral History Project.

Thomas P Doherty was born March March 3, 1954 in Minneaplis to Robert Doherty and Elenor Brown. He had just graduated from Robbinsdale High School in St Paul MN. Thomas was with five friends a the Miner Motel in Keystone when Battle Creek…

Don was 16 the night of the Flood. His family's mobile home park lost 30-40 trailers that evening. His father was in Canada and knew nothing of the Flood or his ruined business until a float plane landed at the lake in Canada where he was fishing and…

Mr. Hemstock, patrol sergeant with Rapid City Police Department on 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. shift June 9; Flood reports, First flood fatality picked up north of Jackson Boulevard about 11 p.m.; Patrol work and body recovery during flood; Comments on work of…

Written Memory

Mayor of Rapid City; Notification of possible high water; Preparation by police, public works employees; Observed situation at Canyon Lake Dam several times; Evacuation of Canyon Lake Park approximately 9:45 p.m.; Phone call from above Rapid City…

[Northeast quarter, southwest quarter, section 18, township 1 north, range 7 east] Rain in Dark Canyon evening of June 9; Rising water; Evacuation to hill behind cabin; Falling rocks and mudslides; Floating propane tanks; Water began to recede about…

Rain about 8:30 p.m. near Mt. Rushmore and Keystone; Attempts to rescue people about 11:30, vicinity of Woodland Drive, June Court; Trapped by water for about three hours near Bennett-Clarkson Hospital; Gave people refuge in his church; Comments on…

Donald was visiting a fellow retired military friend at his home near Meadowbrook Golf Course the evening of the Flood. He and his friend were in the basement trying to keep things from getting wet when their wives called from upstairs and said, "The…