Postcard showing a photograph of the wreck of the Rathbun and Kraft Lumber yard building on S. McCamly Street from the flood of 1908. Battle Creek experienced major flooding in the downtown area in 1887, 1896, 1904, 1908, 1912, 1918, and 1947. By the mid-1950's local leaders worked with the federal government to vacate properties in the flood-prone neighborhood southwest of downtown Battle Creek known as "the bottoms." By 1954 a coalition of local industries and foundations and the federal government was formed to clear housing in the Bottoms. Displaced residents were encouraged to move to the Washington Heights neighborhood. Work began with the Army Core of Engineers on the "Cement River Project" to straighten the Kalamazoo River and channel it so that it no longer could flood the downtown area or displace homeowners. Written on front: Rathbun and Kraft's building on S. McCamly St. ruined by the flood in March, 1908. Battle Creek, Mich. Written on back: This is the large Brick building on South McCamly March 1908 Flood on S. McCamly Clipping glued to back of card: Dragging out parts of the building already wrecked at the Rathbun & Kraft plant Tuesday, caused the fall of another small building and loss of possibly $500 to $800. The engine room, which adjoins the boiler room a the south and rear of the main building, which had collapsed, fell into the river while parts of the wreckage were being removed. The engine, which was kept in the building, did not fall into the river bed, but hung to the platform on which it was fastened. The building of brick fell into the river, but will cause little trouble, as it is but 12 by 16 feet in size. The members of the firm do not consider the damage as great.