Henry Glade: His Mill and the Rockdale Flood of 1876

Pictured above: Henry Glade mill in Grand Island, Nebraska that he built after leaving Iowa.

Join local historian, Kyle Cox, as he describes details of Henry Glade's life and his mill along Catfish Creek, not the location of Swiss Valley Nature Preserve. Kyle will also connect this with the Rockdale Flood of 1876 just downstream. After the presentation, we will walk to where the mill was located at Swiss Valley.

Presentation Description:

On July 4-5, 1876, a storm moved across Iowa headed west towards the sleepy town of Rockdale. Heavy rains caused the Rockdale Mill's dam to give way, sending a wall of water through the town killing 39 people. Why did this tragedy happen? There were other storms and floods at Rockdale, what made this night so different? The answer may lie two miles upstream from Rockdale, along the Catfish Creek, in an area known locally as Swiss Valley. At Swiss Valley, a German immigrant by the name of Henry Glade built a grist mill and dam. On that fateful July night water rushed over his dam, eventually causing a breach. Did this play a roll in the Rockdale flood? Although orphaned at six years old, Henry Glade was able to obtain the American dream and leave his mark in this nation's history. Don't miss this fascinating piece of local history, a history that just might have reached all the way into your kitchen.

Registration is not required, but is helpful for us to gauge the audience size.

Pictured below: Portrait of Henry Glade, who owned the mill that is at Swiss Valley Nature Preserve.

Host or Publisher Dubuque County Conservation Board