In 1913 , Peru suffered a massive flood , the worst of its time . Between March 24 and March 27 , of rain fell on Peru , and sent water from the Wabash and Mississinewa rivers rushing down its streets at speeds of , destroying everything in its path . Before the flood of 1913 , Peru was a busy town , full of activity and jobs , with 15,000 inhabitants , 100 factories , a trolley service , railroads , a new hospital ( Duke 's ) , a circus ( which employed 1000 people on the road ) , and a new concrete bridge ( largest of its kind in the world at the time ) . The total loss for Peru was estimated at $ 3,000,000 ( 1913 figures ) . Many people died , as well as many of the circus animals
massive flood
Great Flood of 1913
Peru, Indiana