Walter J. Teskey Photographs, 1936-1963 AIS.2010.03

Arrangement

Repository
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Title
Walter J. Teskey Photographs
Creator
Teskey, Walter J.
Collection Number
AIS.2010.03
Extent
131 items
Date
1936-1963
Abstract
These photographs were taken and developed by Dr. Walter J. Teskey, who lived in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania. Teskey practiced as a chiropodist (contemporary title is podiatrist) in the Jenkins Arcade and was an amateur photographer and train enthusiast. The collection consists of images depicting the city of Pittsburgh during the 1930s, with particular focus on the Pittsburgh Flood of 1936 (also known as the Great St. Patrick's day flood) and the Ohio River flood of 1937. Additionally, the collection contains photographs of both model and full-scale trains taken during the 1960s. Digital reproductions of the photos are available online.
Language
English .
Author
Jennifer Chan.
Publisher
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Address
University of Pittsburgh Library System
Archives & Special Collections
Website: library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
Contact Us: www.library.pitt.edu/ask-archivist
URL: http://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections

Existence and Location of Copies

Digital reproductions of the collection are available electronically at http://historicpittsburgh.org/collection/walter-j-teskey-photographs.

History

Warmer than normal temperatures on March 16, 1936, led to the melting of snow and ice pushing the waters of the already swollen Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers over their banks. Heavy overnight rains on March 17 further elevated water above the 25 foot flood levels of the city. On March 18 of 1936, the city of Pittsburgh experienced the worst flood in its history, with water levels reaching a peak of 46 feet. Referred to alternately as both the Pittsburgh Flood of 1936 and the Great Saint Patrick's Day flood, flood waters submerged portions of the city for more than 48 hours. This massive destruction of buildings and area steel mills finally prompted the United States Congress, three months after the flood, to approve nine flood control reservoirs as part of flood control measures that the city had pursued without success for the prior three decades.

In early 1937, record rainfall contributed to the flooding again of the city of Pittsburgh. Heavy rainfall across several states in the Ohio River Valley caused water levels of the Ohio River to rise above flood levels, resulting in massive flooding that devastated portions of Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, and the city of Pittsburgh. Though spared the brunt of the river's floodwaters, Pittsburgh still experienced serious flooding, with water levels reaching a peak of 28.1 feet.

Biography

Dr. Walter J. Teskey was an amateur photographer, train enthusiast, and a chiropodist who practiced in the Jenkins Arcade. Teskey was a resident of Wilkinsburgh until his death in 1979. Known for his highly precise scale train models, Dr. Walter J. Teskey considered himself to be a hobbyist train enthusiast, though his extremely precise scale models were employed by Westinghouse in their development of production-size train components. The latter portion of this collection depicts trains and scale models with riders.

Scope and Content Notes

The collection consists of 131 photographic prints taken by Dr. Walter J. Teskey. Subjects depicted include the city of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh during the 1936 and 1937 floods, trains, and people riding model trains. Images were taken between 1936 and 1963.

Access Restrictions

No restrictions.

Previous Citation

Walter J. Teskey Photographs, AIS.2010.03, Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh

Preferred Citation

Walter J. Teskey Photographs, AIS.2010.03, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Jennifer Chan in May of 2012.

Acquisition Information

Donated by Ken Kobus via Rawden E. Rambo, a Balitmore surgeon who acquired them from his friend, Walter J. Teskey. Rambo and Teskey are both deceased.

Copyright

All rights reserved. University of Pittsburgh.

Arrangement

The contents of this collection are arranged chronologically, by known date.

Subjects

    Geographic Names

    • Pittsburgh (Pa.) -- Photographs
    • Downtown (Pittsburgh, Pa.) -- Photographs

    Genres

    • Photographs

    Other Subjects

    • Disasters -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh -- Photographs
    • Transportation
    • Flood damage -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh -- Photographs
    • Floods -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh -- Photographs
    • Railroad trains -- Photographs
    • Environment

Container List