Williamsburg flood 135 years ago

WILLIAMSBURG, Mass. (WWLP) - On May 16, 1874 one of the worst floods in western Massachusetts took place when a dam holding back water from the Mill River unexpectedly burst.

Early in the morning the Williamsburg Reservoir Dam broke sending a wall of water 20 to 40 feet high downstream.

The rushing water destroyed factories and homes and wiped out four villages.

In all 139 people died and around 750 people were left homeless.

The Williamsburg flood was the first recorded dam failure in U.S. history.