When my brother and I were small our Dad owned and operated a Sinclair bulk plant and gas station in Delta, Colorado. (we also lived on a huge fruit orchard–lots of work on both ends for everyone in Eckert. But that is another story for a different time.)
As far as my memory can go I think I was about 10 and my brother about 7, when this photo was taken
Terry said he thinks he was around 15, so this may/might/could possibly be about 1959 when Delta had one of their huge spring floods. (No longer does this happen because of extensive work along the Gunnison River.)
The arrow is right on top of my Dad’s business. The water had crossed the railroad and had risen to the top of the little rise where his business was located.
The town proper of Delta is higher than the river so it was spared, but North Delta wasn’t-the flooding water reached way back and touched upon lots of farms.
If I could show you this area today you would be amazed…the land across the river from my Dad’s business now houses City Market Grocery, Ace Hardware, Tractor Supply, McDonald’s and many other businesses, plus the Rec Center.
The other side of the road, where the most extensive flooding occurred has even more businesses.
Please go to this site to see an even older photo of a time when Delta flooded.
Sometimes change isn’t a good thing, change just for the ‘heck of it’ is never a good idea, but change to improve, to make better, to stop destruction—well, that is always a good thing.
Today we do not have floods, which is good. I so remember the real fear and concern my parents felt in this really large flood of around 1959.
When our children were little we had another flood, just as big and just as damaging. It was at this point the City Managers and the Army Core of Engineers said “ENOUGH”.
Thank heavens!
Your grateful friend,
Linda
Life on a Colorado Farm 
glad they were able to correct that area.
LikeLike
oooh that does look like a lotta water..I expect it also did a lot of damage
LikeLike
We had a terrible flood in our village in 2012 – the first time the beck had overflowed since 1933 and many houses were flooded. Luckily my cottage in the village where my son lives was just clear of the flood water, but houses nearby were terribly damaged. It is such a distressing time. The photograph is interesting Linda – places change so quickly don’t they?
LikeLike
I find the older I get the more I resist change. And I never thought I would be that way when I was younger.
LikeLike
That looks like quite a flood! Glad they fixed that problem. Like your new header!
Blessings!
LikeLike
Water can be so damaging. I am sure it was a terrible concern for your parents:(
LikeLike
So much to truly be Thankful for Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Linda
LikeLike
“If I could show you this area…” but you can :-). Look it up on Google maps. Assuming this URL works (which I don’t guarantee), here’s the City Market located.
http://goo.gl/maps/FNMG6
Can also use Street View on rte 50 at least: http://goo.gl/maps/HLQTQ
LikeLike
That is truly something to be grateful for and a lovely post for TG week. I love learning from your history posts, and this one, because of the personal connection is even more special. I am going to go to the links as soon as I post this comment (otherwise I was afraid I’d forget to come back).
LikeLike
fascinating post Linda….glad the floods have dried up, but wish you had more water!!!
LikeLike