The Massive LA Disaster You've Never Heard Of
Caitlin Doughty・2 minutes read
The movie "Chinatown" is based on a true story of the 1930s Los Angeles water rights and land usage, involving the disastrous failure of the Saint Francis Dam and the role of William Mulholland in providing water to the city. The dam failure led to a devastating flood, highlighting racial divisions, survivor stories, and the need for improved dam safety regulations.
Insights
- The movie "Chinatown" is loosely based on the true story of water rights and land usage in 1930s Los Angeles, highlighting the historical significance of water management and infrastructure development in the region.
- The failure of the Saint Francis Dam in 1928, attributed to oversight and hubris, led to devastating consequences, with significant loss of life and property, underscoring the importance of stringent safety regulations for infrastructure projects to prevent such disasters.
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Recent questions
What caused the Saint Francis Dam disaster?
The failure was due to oversight and hubris.
Who played a crucial role in providing water to Los Angeles?
William Mulholland, an Irish immigrant.
How did the "Hello Girls" contribute during the flood?
They warned residents of the impending flood.
What was the death toll estimate of the Saint Francis Dam disaster?
Estimates range from 400 to 600 deaths.
What book is recommended for more stories related to the flood?
"Floodpath" by John Wilkman.
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Summary
00:00
Tragedy of Saint Francis Dam: 1928
- The movie "Chinatown" is loosely based on a true story of water rights and land usage in 1930s Los Angeles.
- The failure of the Saint Francis Dam in 1928 is considered one of the largest manmade disasters in US history, with an estimated death toll of 600 people.
- William Mulholland, an Irish immigrant, played a crucial role in providing water to Los Angeles by constructing an aqueduct from the Owens Valley.
- The aqueduct completed in 1913 faced opposition from Owens Valley residents, leading to bombings and legal disputes.
- The Saint Francis Dam, built in Santa Clarita, was designed to hold 12.4 billion gallons of water but failed catastrophically in 1928.
- The dam failure resulted in a devastating flood that swept through towns along the flood path, causing makeshift morgues to be set up in various locations.
- The flood path extended 54 miles over five and a half hours, with estimates of 400 to 600 deaths, many of whom were undocumented Mexican workers.
- Santa Paula, a city along the flood path, was racially divided in the 1920s and faced significant devastation from the flood.
- Phone operators known as the "Hello Girls" played a crucial role in warning residents of the impending flood, saving many lives.
- The aftermath of the disaster revealed racial divisions in the treatment of survivors, with segregated hospitals and morgues.
14:58
Tragedy and Survival: Saint Francis Dam Flood
- Piru suffered heavy losses due to the destruction caused by the flood from the Saint Francis Dam, with many memorials in cemeteries dedicated to the victims, like the Gottardi family.
- Joe Gottardi, an Italian immigrant, lost his wife Francis and five of their children in the flood, with one daughter's body never found.
- Audible sponsored the video, offering a free trial for an audiobook subscription by visiting www.audible.com/mortician or texting mortician to 500, 500.
- Pearl Barnard, a survivor of the flood, clung to a mattress with a chicken for company all night, and both survived.
- John Wilkman's "Floodpath" is recommended for more stories of survival and tragedy related to the flood.
- Castaic was severely hit by the flood, with waves up to 75 feet high washing away the town, including a popular travel route with cabins and a cafe.
- Powerhouse Two, near the dam, was destroyed, resulting in the deaths of 126 out of 129 residents, with chunks of the dam found miles away.
- The failure of the Saint Francis Dam was attributed to oversight and hubris, with cracks in the structure indicating its instability.
- Mulholland, responsible for the dam, admitted fault and the disaster led to the implementation of better dam safety regulations.
- The aftermath of the flood involved a massive recovery effort for bodies and remains, with many unclaimed dead buried in communal graves.
29:48
Supporting Iowa Disaster Recovery and Chinatown Cemetery
- The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation is actively supporting vulnerable populations affected by a recent disaster in Iowa. They are seeking assistance through their disaster recovery fund, with donations accepted at audible.com/mortician or by texting mortician to 500, 500.
- The cemetery in Chinatown, located near the Saint Francis Dam, was historically maintained by The Mischief Makers, a local motorcycle club. Additionally, the city of Los Angeles and the state of California have faced challenges, with support needed for recovery efforts.
