This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
Ottawa flood memories show grit and communal resilience
Ottawans across 1928 and 1951 floods moved mud and rebuilt. Nordeen recalled defending his store while family stayed on rooftops. Gillette kept Pence Grocery open with a crank register and bread flown in. Residents relied on river knowledge, scarce aid, and neighborly help to endure the flood’s surge.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Davis
Nordeen
OK Photo
Ottawa Herald
S. Main St
Chanute
Bennett Creamery
Charles Gillette
U.S. Navy
Sue
Hickory St
Marais Des Cygnes
Gillette
Peace Grocery
Skunk Run
Kansas City
Connor
Freone Hollinger
Ottawa
National Weather Service
Hollinger
Eckaan
Welfare Department
Deb Barker
Franklin County Historical Society
Barker
Historical Society