This albumen print on card mount was taken by George D. Wakely (b. 1822) on May 20th, 1864. This photograph shows the Cherry Creek flood in Denver, Colorado. The creek first began to flood the buildings in the dry creek bed late at night on May 19th. The flood washed away buildings, property, animals and several people. The next morning, Wakely took many photographs recording the flood and damage, from the rooftops on the west side of the creek. Business with signs displayed in this photograph include, from left to right, "Feed and Livery Stables," "Commonwealth," "J.G. Vawter & Co," "American House," and "Bell's Boarding House."