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Clara Barton and the Johnstown Flood of 1889

Clara Barton, the founder of the American Red Cross, had led some battlefield relief efforts during the Civil War. However, Barton felt the Red Cross could also provide relief for peacetime disasters, and the Johnstown flood of 1889 provided an ideal opportunity. Barton, 67, and five Red Cross workers arrived from Washington, D.C., on June 5, 1889, just five days after the flood occurred. Thus, the Johnstown flood was the first major peacetime relief effort for the American Red Cross.

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Johnstown Flood National Memorial

It was believed that Clara stayed in Johnstown from May through October and this is mostly true. However, in 2006, a park intern found a letter from Clara indicating that she did leave Johnstown in August for a brief respite to attend a GAR convention in Milwaukee. Upon the conclusion of the convention, she came right back to Johnstown, staying on until October. ~NMK

an old stone house with porches on the front and side of it, surrounded by lush green trees

Clara Barton House, NHS

The site is the home of Clara from 1897 to her death at the age of 90 in 1912. It was designed after the "Johnstown Hotels" that were built by the Red Cross after the Johnstown Flood to house both volunteers and the newly made homeless. It was the American Red Cross' first big stab at a peacetime relief project and really put them on the map.

an old black and white photo of the inside of a building with lots of shelves

Clara Barton was one of the last of the ministering spirits to leave the scene of her labors, and she left her apartment houses for use during the winter, and turned over her warehouse, with its store of furniture, bedding and clothing and a well-equipped infirmary, to the Union Benevolent Association of the Conemaugh Valley, the organization of which she advised and helped to form.

an old black and white photo of a dining room

Pre Flood World

1910 Harris County Courthouse

This pic is the first relief hotel built in Johnstown after the flood. The building in this photo was completed on July 27, 1889 to house civic leaders of the town. Accommodations were provided rent-free, and meals could be had for 25 cents or less.

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On October 24, 1889, Barton was presented with this locket from the Ladies of Johnstown at the close of the American Red Cross relief efforts following the flood that occurred months before. Here is the gold locket set with diamonds and a sapphire that was presented by the ladies of Johnstown at the close of the American Red Cross relief efforts in October of 1889. Engraved on the back, “To Our Friend in Need Miss Clara Barton from the Ladies of Johnstown Oct 24 1889.”

the illustrated american magazine cover with an image of a man dressed in colonial clothing and holding a cane

Twelfth Night

News Magazine

April 15

The Illustrated American A Weekly News-Magazine; Vol. XIII. No 15 Whole Number 165.” Week Ending April 15, 1893. Several pages of this magazine are featured here, including p 457 – 460 and the article, “At The Nation’s Capital. An Interesting Letter on Noted Women of Washington, by Cleveland Moffett.” The article has an interview with Clara Barton and a description of her arrival in Johnstown, PA after the 1889 flood.

an old photo of people standing in front of a large building that is under construction

Hotel Exterior

Working Class

Somerset

Exterior View of Red Cross Relief Hotel # 3 (Kernville House) Photograph c 1889. This was the second relief hotel that was built in Johnstown after the flood. It was completed in August of 1889, and was located on Somerset St. across the river from Johnstown in Kernville. It provided housing for the working class families of the area. All of the Red Cross buildings there were dismantled in the spring, 1890.

Interior View

The Building

Nursing

Red Cross Relief Hotel # 2 (Locust Street Hotel) Photograph c 1889. An interior view of the first relief hotel built in Johnstown after the flood. It was completed on July 27, 1889 to house civic leaders of the town. This hotel was built for them until they could return home. Accommodations were provided rent-free, and meals could be had for 25 cents or less.

an old photo of a room with tables and chairs

Two Story House

Story House

Red Cross Relief Hotel # 3 (Kernville House) Photograph c 1889. The Kernville House was the second relief hotel built in Johnstown after the flood. Completed in August of 1889, it was located on Somerset Street across the river from Johnstown in Kernville. It provided housing for local working class families, unlike the Locust St. Hotel that was built for the civic leaders and their families. A two story house measuring about 50 by 116 feet, it had 34 - 36 rooms.

an old black and white photo of a building that has been destroyed by the flood

Johnstown Pennsylvania

Vintage Nursing

Harley Davidson Pictures

Clara Barton's House--Visual Evidence #1

Clara Barton and Red Cross volunteers administered relief to victims of the 1889 Johnstown Flood, including building and furnishing temporary shelters or hotels such as this one.

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