The demise of Linn City came as a surprise over several months in 1861 . During October a heavy and constant rain began to fall . Though heavy rains during October in Oregon are not out of the ordinary , the rain that continued into November was . By the end of November , the Willamette River overflowed its banks . By December , the water had risen over some of the town 's streets . Citizens watched , helpless , from their windows as the water rose at a rate of nearly one foot per hour . The resulting great flood destroyed Linn City . The walls of the houses and stores began to shudder and cave in . Other buildings were picked up and swept away by the powerful deluge . When the flood ended on December 14 , only three homes remained standing in Linn City
great flood
Great Flood of 1862
Linn City, Oregon