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Flooded LandMay, 1937
Thamesville, Ontario, Canada
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The water that had come pouring in from the other side of the railroad had been covering an extensive area of farmland. The fields had not been planted yet, as a result the water that filled the streets of Thamesville was very muddy. On April 29, 1937, the edition of the Thamesville Herald wrote, "Even with the warnings that had been coming for two days, no one was prepared for the steady seemingly ceaseless rise of the waters that continued throughout the day until all records for high water had been broken." The water had reached its peak on the night of April 28th. At the main intersection of the town the height of the floodwaters measured four feet.16
Car and CanoeApril, 1937
Thamesville, Ontario, Canada
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On April 28th , when the water was at its highest, most citizens could be found marooned in their homes as they waited for the floodwaters to lower. Others were paddling around town in canoes, boats, or rafts. Most of the town boys could be seen working their way around town having the time of their lives on their makeshift floats. Many of the boys paddling around town were just curious and were exploring the flooded village while most of the men were trying to help their fellow citizens.At the main four-corner intersection of the town, at Victoria and London Streets, there was a woman on a rubber raft with a single paddle. One man remembers that she was right in the middle of the intersection when she upset the raft and fell into the water. "She was sitting right on her behind in the middle of that intersection. She got up and shook herself off like a wet bird!" The main intersection was a popular gathering site for the men of the town so they witnessed the whole thing, "You can easily imagine what their reaction was when this woman fell off her raft."
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Men in Boat and TruckApril, 1937
Thamesville, Ontario, Canada
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The Red Cross and multiple volunteer men from the village were paddling around town in boats delivering bread and milk to any household that was in need. The April 29th edition of the Herald wrote, "No cash was accepted for bread or milk. ‘It’s on the town’ said the canoe men as they tossed fresh hot loaves up and paddled away."There was a significant number of citizens who found themselves finding refuge in their neighbour’s homes. Otherwise, they fled to the Tecumseh Hotel or the Opera House where the Red Cross had set up headquarters. The Thamesville Herald reported that, "Some fifty men, women and children slept in the Opera House Thursday night and were served from the kitchen established there."
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London RoadMay, 1937
Thamesville, Ontario, Canada
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On Thursday, April 29th , the water began to lower slowly inch by inch. By Friday, the people of Thamesville could once again walk along the streets. The floodwaters had finally receded, but the mark of the flood was still evident. About half an inch of silt covered everything that the muddy floodwaters had touched. An entry from the journal of Lloyd Mitton on May 1st said, "Thamesville is a terrible mess beyond comprehension." The destruction in the town was devastating but the citizens of the village came together and began the tiresome task of cleaning up after the wake of the 1937 flood. Carpets were cleaned and laid out on the sidewalk to dry in the sun. The inside of homes and businesses were scrubbed clean after the silt had been shoveled or swept out onto the streets. Basements were getting pumped out and hoses were in full action as everyone tried to wash the endless amount of mud that seemed to be everywhere.22
Post Office and Hardy'sMay, 1937
Thamesville, Ontario, Canada
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In the May 6, 1937 edition of the Thamesville Herald, the following was written, "Everyone is tired now, just a week after the waters flowed into our homes. Many women cried as they surveyed the muddy wreck of homes that were their pride. Damage to foundations, damage to floors that have warped, damage to carpets that have been under water, damage to pianos and other furniture that could not be moved in time, will all swell to a total to be borne by the individual home owners of Thamesville. How much? No one knows. Nor will the total ever be known." Heavy stock damage was suffered by multiple businesses throughout the town but the exact total of the damages was not stated. The businesses had damage done to the floors, fixtures, and any stock that was not moved in time from the path of the floodwaters. The May 6, 1937 Thamesville Herald featured the following quote from a local businessman, "I’m paying my own losses out of my own pocket,’ said one merchant, ‘and it’s nobody’s business how much the flood is going to cost me." The Herald also expressed that another hardship people had to endure, was the lack of natural gas which had been cut off on Wednesday24
Dr. Hingst's HouseMay, 1937
Thamesville, Ontario, Canada
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Man with Boat in front of Dr. Hingst's HouseMay, 1937
Thamesville, Ontario, Canada
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While cleanup was of high importance, the threat of illness also swept through the village. Thamesville residents were warned of the dangers of typhoid fever. Free typhoid fever inoculation was offered by the family physician and citizens were encouraged to take advantage of the services. Parents were also encouraged to have their children immunized against diphtheria. The family physician would do the work and the town council would handle the bills. An urgent bulletin was posted stating that all surfaces that the water had touched should be thoroughly cleaned with chloride of lime. The people of Thamesville were also reminded to boil their drinking water and to continue to drink the chlorinated water until they were notified otherwise.27
Charles Helmer showing the high water mark of the floodApril, 1937
Thamesville, Ontario, Canada
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