Flood waters in downtown Battle Creek, c. 1908
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Postcard showing a photo of flood waters on streets in downtown Battle Creek, looking east from South Jefferson Street, c. 1908. Battle Creek experienced major flooding in the downtown area in 1887, 1896, 1904, 1908, 1912, 1918, and 1947. By the mid-1950's local leaders worked with the federal government to vacate properties in the flood-prone neighborhood southwest of downtown Battle Creek known as "the bottoms." By 1954 a coalition of local industries and foundations and the federal government was formed to clear housing in the Bottoms. Displaced residents were encouraged to move to the Washington Heights neighborhood. Work began with the Army Core of Engineers on the "Cement River Project" to straighten the Kalamazoo River and channel it so that it no longer could flood the downtown area or displace homeowners.
Caption on front: East from G. T. Frt. Office.
Written on back: When I made a [illegible] there was 2 feet of water in the shop. Dick went to work today the shop is fine got home all right but the first thing we smelt was the chicken it was rotten. Etta
Sent to: Mrs. August Exner Niles Mich Sixth St.
Sent on: March 14, 1908