Almanac: March » Almanac: March 12

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Almanac: March
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1928

The St. Francis Dam in the Santa Clara Valley collapses. The Dam was designed by William Mulholland. According to the Mulholland – Scattergood Virtual Museum:

Over 450 people perished as the flooding waters raced through the San Francisquito and Santa Clara River valleys and continued on its 54 mile course to the ocean. It ranks as one of worst American civil engineering failures in the 20th Century.

Panoramic view of the St. Francis Dam in 1928, courtesy of the Mulholland - Scattergood Virtual Museum, maintained by Water and Power Associates.
Panoramic view of the St. Francis Dam in 1928, courtesy of the Mulholland – Scattergood Virtual Museum, maintained by Water and Power Associates.
The St. Francis Dam after its collapse at 11:57 p.m. on March 12, 1928. Photo courtesy of the Mulholloand - Scattergood Virtual Museum, maintained by Water and Power Associates.
The St. Francis Dam after its collapse at 11:57 p.m. on March 12, 1928. Photo courtesy of the Mulholloand – Scattergood Virtual Museum, maintained by Water and Power Associates.
Map showing the St. Francis Dam flood path. Ventura County Star/Steve Greenberg
Map showing the St. Francis Dam flood path. Ventura County Star/Steve Greenberg.

[Sources: California: An Island on the Land by Carey McWilliams and the Mulholland – Scattergood Virtual Museum, maintained by Water and Power Associates.]

2020

In response to COVID-19:

  • The City of Cypress cancels all large meetings at city-owned properties, and closes both the Cypress Community Center and the Cypress Senior Center.
  • The North Orange County Community College District is moving to restrict in-person classes. Cypress College will pause classes while staff and professors ramp up video.
  • The Disney Company announces that both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure will close begnning Saturday, March 14.
  • The retirement party for Cypress Police Chief Rod Cox is cancelled.