Fig. 19

Record breaking floods impacted the northeastern section of the United States in August 1955. The bottomlands along the full length of the Wallkill River were extensively inundated as depicted here at the bridge in the village of New Paltz. What is not shown on the left are the submerged stone abutments that remained from the earlier covered bridge and iron bridge. There is little doubt that the destructive power of this flood would have swept away the earlier bridges. (Source: Haviland-Heidgerd Historical Collection, Elting Memorial Library, Erma DeWitt Photographs)