Photo courtesy of the City of Cambridge Archives
May 17, 1974 was a sunny day, yet the Grand River breached its banks and caused massive flooding in downtown Cambridge, Ontario. The river had a normal depth in May of about 0.61 m (or 2 feet) - during the flood its depth peaked at more than 5 metres, or 18 feet.
May 4, 2024 was a sunny day too ... when the Fire Hall Museum & Education Centre and many community partners staged a 50th Anniversary commemorative event at the Museum, in Civic Square and at City Hall, and throughout downtown Cambridge.
Event Schedule - Here's What Happened on May 4, 2024
Civic Square at City Hall and the Fire Hall Museum & Education Centre
Media Coverage
Legacy and learnings of Cambridge's Great Flood of 1974 | CBC.ca
Remembering The Great Flood of 1974 | CTV News
ICYMI: Famous Cambridge flood photo remade by policeman's family 50 years later - CambridgeToday.ca
Cambridge residents recall harrowing acts of bravery during 1974 flood - CambridgeToday.ca
Jack Shuttleworth photo a lasting memory of 1974 Galt flood (therecord.com)
Remembering the day Cambridge was underwater, 50 years later (citynews.ca)
How to make a cocktail inspired by Cambridge's Great Flood of 1974 | CBC.ca
Legacy and learnings of Cambridge's Great Flood of 1974 | CBC.ca
Remembering The Great Flood of 1974 | CTV News
ICYMI: Famous Cambridge flood photo remade by policeman's family 50 years later - CambridgeToday.ca
Cambridge residents recall harrowing acts of bravery during 1974 flood - CambridgeToday.ca
Jack Shuttleworth photo a lasting memory of 1974 Galt flood (therecord.com)
Remembering the day Cambridge was underwater, 50 years later (citynews.ca)
How to make a cocktail inspired by Cambridge's Great Flood of 1974 | CBC.ca
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Ongoing Events
Saturday mornings through December 2025
9:30 am to 12:30 pm
The Great Flood of '74 - Exhibit
Location: Fire Hall Museum & Education Centre
Cost: Free
A rapid spring thaw or heavy rain upstream caused the waters to rise and potentially spill over the banks of the waterways. Often the rushing waters washed away bridges and flooded low-lying areas such as Preston’s Riverside Park and Galt’s downtown, leaving behind massive ice flows or other debris, while inundating homes and businesses. Many local residents remember Hurricane Hazel in 1954, and the flood of May 1974, but there have been many floods throughout the city's history.
See the Fire Hall Museum's exhibit about floods and flooding, and water rescue in Cambridge - with a focus on the 1974 flood. And hear remembrances of local residents who lived through the Great Flood of ’74. Produced by Amazing Cambridge Ontario.
9:30 am to 12:30 pm
The Great Flood of '74 - Exhibit
Location: Fire Hall Museum & Education Centre
Cost: Free
A rapid spring thaw or heavy rain upstream caused the waters to rise and potentially spill over the banks of the waterways. Often the rushing waters washed away bridges and flooded low-lying areas such as Preston’s Riverside Park and Galt’s downtown, leaving behind massive ice flows or other debris, while inundating homes and businesses. Many local residents remember Hurricane Hazel in 1954, and the flood of May 1974, but there have been many floods throughout the city's history.
See the Fire Hall Museum's exhibit about floods and flooding, and water rescue in Cambridge - with a focus on the 1974 flood. And hear remembrances of local residents who lived through the Great Flood of ’74. Produced by Amazing Cambridge Ontario.
Thank You!
Many individuals and organizations helped to commemorate the Great Flood of ’74 – with displays, exhibits, walking tours and so much more!
Thank you to everyone who participated in and attended the event.
Many individuals and organizations helped to commemorate the Great Flood of ’74 – with displays, exhibits, walking tours and so much more!
Thank you to everyone who participated in and attended the event.
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Community Members Who Shared
Memories and Photographs Sandy Barrie Deborah Brethauer Joan M. Brown Shaun Coleman Doug Dakin Ken DePodesta Don Drews Mary Esther Everett Ron Foreman Greg Gowing Michelle Hogan Joe Mandel Alistair McIlwraith Charlie Scozzari Bill Shortreed Lorraine Shuttleworth and Family Tom Smith Randy Spencer Joe Tudisco Randy Walker Speakers
Ken DePodesta Dan Schmalz Frank Smith Tom Smith Jane’s Walk Tour Guides
Christian Aagaard Philip Klassen-Rempel Scott Roberts Rebecca Smithers Ingrid Talpak Hayden Ward Media
Cambridge Times Cambridge Today CBC Kitchener-Waterloo CityNews 570 Emily Rowsell Content Creator + Photographer Waterloo Region Record Organizing Committee on behalf of the Fire Hall Museum & Education Centre
Rob Brisson Ray Martin Tom Reitz Ingrid Talpak |
Sponsors
City of Cambridge Community Grants Program Fire Hall Museum & Education Centre Water’s Edge Environmental Solutions Team Event Participants
Amazing Cambridge Ontario Cambridge Sculpture Garden City of Cambridge
Fire Hall Museum & Education Centre Grand River Conservation Authority Idea Exchange Old Post Office Jane’s Walk Waterloo Region Kiki McDonald Bridal Krajewski Gallery & Picture Framing McDougall Cottage Historic Site Thirteen Food & Beverage Region of Waterloo Paramedic Services University of Waterloo Library Special Collections & Archive Waterloo Regional Police Service And all the volunteers and staff from these organizations who supported the event! Downtown Businesses
F.J. Brown & Son Colour Dress Boutique Dental Art Clinic Encore Threads & Treasures House of Bamboo Cambridge Jolie Bras & Lingerie Kiki McDonald Bridal Krajewski Gallery and Framing Painted Out PAVA Consignment for Home and Garden Terry Polyak Reids Chocolate 13 Food and Beverage Witty & Co |
