E. L. Mabley Archives Home Page    Welcome to the WWU Archives Digital Photo Collection

The archives photo database is getting a much-needed new platform in the next few weeks. Please bear with us as this site may not work well or may stop working during this transition.

1931 Flood

On March 31/April 1st of 1931, Mill Creek jumped its banks and flooded the Walla Walla Valley. Streets became riverbeds. Houses and businesses were engulfed by angry waters. Here are some pictures that show what the valley went through.


1 2 Next
The College Place flood of 1931. This photo was taken from the corner of 4th (then Pine St.) and College Avenue. May be the home economics building. Dorothy Gundy lived here with 6 college students. This is the home of Dr. Reith. His son-in-law Dr. Eros lived in it in 1947-1948. The Rainier Bank later stood on this corner. [4665 views] Flood waters in the Walla Walla Valley. [3215 views] College Place flood of April 1st. [3025 views] Railroad tracks in the College Place or Walla Walla area that the floods of April 1st washed out. [3001 views] College Place flooding. April 3rd. Top sign reads "glass bottom boats leave every hour, in all the world no trip like this." [2872 views] College Place flooding out the underneath of railroad tracks. Taken April 5th [2680 views] College Place train on railroad tracks after the flooding. April 3rd. [2708 views] College Place, highway from College Place to Walla Walla after flooding. April 3rd. [2749 views] College Place, highway from College Place to Walla Walla during flooding on April 1st. [2800 views] College Place, Simmons residence during the flooding on April 1st. [2878 views] Walla Walla during flooding. Truck being driven the in flood waters on April 1st. [2628 views] College Place house during the flood on April 1st [2802 views] Walla Walla during flood on April 1st. The Union Pacific Depot at the far West end of Main St on 12th Ave in Walla Walla. [3061 views] College Place, highway from College Place to Walla Walla during flood on April 1st. [2691 views] Corner of Alder and 3rd, facing southwest in Walla Walla during the flood on April 1st. [2848 views] Corner of Alder and Colville, facing southwest in Walla Walla during the flood on April 1st. [2596 views] Driving in the flood waters on the highway in College Place, two blocks South of College Store looking towards it. April 1st [2893 views] Exploring the Walla Walla flood waters of April 1st. [2865 views] Flooding in Walla Walla near Fire Station on April 1st. [2674 views] College Place flood on April 1st. Students looking out the window of the Home Economics Cottage (Ko Kyn Kottage). [2887 views] Flood waters on the road between Walla Walla and College Place on April 1st [2686 views] Flood waters upon entering Walla Walla on April 1st [2819 views] Flood waters flow under the Walla WAlla Iron Workers sign on the highway from College Place to Walla Walla on April 1st [3130 views] Flood waters on Maple Street in College Place on April 1st [4728 views] Standing in the flood waters in College Place on April 1st [3218 views] The great valley flood of April 1. Pictured shows washed up gravel and rocks under a bridge next to broken soil and road. Written on the photo, "Where flood started. W.W. 1931." [44 views] The great valley flood of April 1. Pictured are high flood waters surrounding a building. Written on the bottom of the photo, "Flood of Walla Walla." Written on the photo, "Church of God with front taken off 4-1-31." [41 views] The great valley flood of April 1. Pictured are high flood waters engulfing a vehicle with two passerby The great valley flood of April 1. Pictured are high flood waters surrounding several buildings. This is likely Maple Street. Written on the photo, "Flood of C.P. The great valley flood of April 1. Pictured are flood waters surrounding a distant church building. Written on the photo, "Flood of C.P.
1 2 Next

WWU Archives Digital Photo Collection : Walla Walla Valley : 1931 Flood

All images are the property of WWU Archives 
          Photo Home / New Search / Photo Use Agreement