It's often called The Great Dayton Flood, but when the Great Miami River overflowed its banks in 1913, many towns down-river, including Franklin and Carlisle, were devastated.

As the 100th anniversary of the flood nears, the Franklin Area Historical Society is planning to remind area residents of the disastrous event with exhibits and programs called Memories of the 1913 Flood in Franklin and Carlisle, Warren County.

Dan Darragh, president of the historical society, says the organization recently received four grants to which will enable the society to restore and preserve its extensive collection of flood memorabilia and sponsor programs and exhibits leading up to the anniversary.

The historical society is working with Eli Bambakidis of Fairborn on the project. Eli is a retired archivist with the Dayton Metro Library and has many years of experience in archiving, restoring and preserving documents. She compiled the Dayton Metro Library's flood collection and has presented papers and seminars all over the area. Also involved are the Carlisle Historical Society and the Franklin-Springboro Public Library.

The project will include photographs taken by many who experienced the 1913 flood near Franklin and Carlisle and give complete historical information of important events during the flood and its aftermath, with oral history research and a complete listing of the photographs and newspapers.

Bambakidis says the exhibit will not only be of interest to area residents but it will aid archivists, curators, engineers and historians in preparing their exhibits and obtaining items of importance to them on loan.

The widespread damage along the Miami Valley from Tipp City, north of Dayton, to Hamilton, prompted the formation of the Miami Conservancy District in 1915 with Arthur E. Morgan as chief engineer. His engineering brilliance in flood control and drainage led to the technical success of the Miami Valley Flood Prevention Association. From the project's end in 1923, the work in flood control initiated and maintained by the Miami Conservancy District has essentially eliminated the threat of major flooding in the Miami Valley.

For more information about this project, contact Daniel S. Darragh, President of the Franklin Area Historical Society.