Spring rains on this day in 1912 caused Salem Creek to flood, wiping out roads and bridges. Railroad traffic was halted and the water even flooded businesses in its path.
Thousands of spectators got as close as possible to view the flood. Residents from Southside, who came to Winston during the day, were stranded in Winston until later in the evening, when the water level fell.
Aside from the inconvenience from the water, and the damage to businesses, the greatest concern was the Winston water supply, because the flood destroyed the embankment at the concrete dam. The Salem water plant was submerged, but there was no lasting damage.
Forsyth County farmers received the greatest loss because their fields were washed out and gullied from all of the rain that fell. This water fell just as farmers were readying their fields for spring plantings.
The flood was also referred to as a “freshet,” which means a spring rainstorm.
Photos courtesy of Forsyth County Public Library Photograph Collection.
