DOI: 10.25549/examiner-c44-37886
title: Flood in Artesia and Norwalk ...Evacuation of victims by Red Cross, 1952

description: 32 images. Flood in Artesia and Norwalk ...Evacuation of victims by Red Cross, 18 January 1952. Robert Granlund, Red Cross volunteer worker, 13110 Fallon Avenue, Norwalk, carrying German Shepherd to safety; "Cecil", German Shepherd, owned by Gene Spurgeon, of 12311 Bingham Street, Artesia; Herndon Smith, Red Cross rescue crew, carrying flood victim; Mrs. Joe (Evelyn) Garcia, 12314 Bingham Street, Artesia, being rescued; Mrs. Franklin Carlson, 12107 East 162nd Street, Norwalk, being evacuated; Lynn Carlson, 3 1/2, 12107 East 162nd Street, Norwalk, being evacuated; Steven Carlson 1 1/2, 12107 East 162nd Street, Norwalk, being evacuated; John Bowermaster, Red Cross volunteer, Artesia, rescuing victims; Ernest Babin, 12, 12117 East 161st Street, Norwalk, being rescued; Marcel De Leenheer, Red Cross volunteer, of Artesia carrying Danny Babin, 3, from home at 12117 East 161st Street, Norwalk; Herndon Smith, Red Cross volunteer; Terrier "Rex", owned by Mrs. Ken Schofield, being rescued; Lee Allen Gess, 3, being rescued; Rita Marie Gess, 18 months, being rescued; George Blain, private patrolman, Artesia, handing cat to Red Cross volunteer in bus; "Kittypuss", cat, black cat, owned by Mrs. Gene Spurgeon, 12311 Bingham Street, Artesia.; Caption slip reads [transcription 1]: "Photographer: Emery. Date: 1952-01-18. Reporter: emery, etc. Assignment: Red Cross rescues -- flood. 88: Carrying big German shepherd to safety -- Robert Granlund, of Norwalk, volunteer Red Cross helper, brings dog 'Cecil' owned by 032, 031: Gene Spurgeon family of 12311 Bingham Street, Artesia. Family was evacuated at 2 a.m. with scores of neighbors. (Granlund address: 13110 Flallon (correct) Ave., Norwalk). Herndon Smith of Artesia, with Red Cross rescue crew, carrying piggyback Mrs. Joe (Evelyn) Garcia, 25, who with husband and children was taken from flooded home at 12314 Bingham Street, Artesia, before dawn as water rapidly rose. Garcia kids are Carolyn, 4 1/2; Susan, 2 1/2; Anna Marie, 5 months, in crib. 30: George Blain, private patrolman in Artesia area, hands up black cat 'Kittypuss; to Red Cross volunteer in bus. Cat owned by Mrs. Gene Spurgeon, of 12311 Bingham St., Artesia, who was rescued with whole family at 2 a.m. 31: Ernest Gregory of Artesia Red Cross carrying Mrs. Gene Spurgeon, 24, across flood in front of her home 12311 Bingham St., Artesia to waiting Red Cross bus 2 a.m.".; Caption slip reads [transcription 2]: "64: Herndon smith, volunteer Red Cross helper, Artesia, carrying Mrs. Ken Schofield from home 12305 Bingham St., Artesia. Mrs. Schofield and 3 children went to safety at Red Cross Station; Papa stayed home to fight flood. 65: Herndon /smith rescuing terrier 'Rex' from Schofield home. 42: Marcel DeLeenheer of Red Cross volunteers, Artesia, carrying Danny Babin, 3 years, from home at 12117 E. 161st St., Norwalk, as waters advanced on home. 43: Ernest Babin, 12, same address as above, being carried from home by John Bowermaster, Red Cross volunteer, Artesia. 41: Midnight flood at 187th St. and Pioneer Blvd., Artesia, engulfs sidewalk and threatens Southern County Bank. Emergency crewmen check sandbag barrier at door. 030: Darlene Gess being carried by husband Vernon Gess from home at 12101 E. 162 St., Norwalk. Children Lee Allen Gess, 3, and Rita Marie, 18 months, were rescued also. 64: Barelegged, carrying bag, Norwalk area woman (unidentified) being escorted through water to Red Cross bus, by Red Cross Worker. 89: Red Cross worker, wading, brings bundled baby to Red Cross Rescue bus, Artesia. 36: Typical evacuation scene at Artesia at midnight. 37: Bundled baby being carried from flooded Artesia home Red Cross worker. 17: Mrs. Franklin Carlson, 12107 E. 162 St., Norwalk; children Lynn, 3 1/2; and Steven, 1 1/2 years. Location midnight as flood reached home".