The January flood on the Mountain caused considerable damage, but one
artifact didn’t succumb to the devastation.

A photo from 1901 made its way down the Sandy River and settled on the
newly formed bank in the yard of local resident Autumn Rockafellor.
“If it made it that far down the river, I feel it should go back home,”
Rockafellor said.

Somehow, the family photograph — with the names of the family written on
the back — was swept down river and maintained its integrity.

“It was wet, but otherwise undisturbed,” Rockafellor said. “I dried it out by
the fire, and it’s in great shape.”

Rockafellor’s house, on East Old County Road in Brightwood — between the

post office and the Brightwood Bridge — had its back yard re-shaped by the
flood, and provided a perfect landing spot for the old photo.

It was discovered about 10 days after the flood event.

Rockafellor has lived at the Brightwood location for nine years, and seen a
couple floods, but this is the only thing of value she’s plucked from the
remains.

“I’ve seen a propane tank float by, and a beaver skeleton, but that’s about it,”
she said.

Rockafellor wants the owners of the photo to contact her at her shop —
Designers Hair Center, in Welches.

She can be contacted at 622-3404.

She was quick to point out, however, that she is not taking calls on the
propane tank and the beaver remains.