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Historical marker.

Horrible Train Wreck Happened Here

Field review by the editors.

Chatsworth, Illinois

The state historical marker is in a flat, quiet area of cornfields and distant farms. It's hard to visualize the 19th century freak calamity that killed 85 train passengers in the crash and inevitable fire that seemed to accompany every train wreck back then.

The Great Chatsworth Train Wreck happened at midnight on August 10-11, 1887. The crash of the Toledo, Peoria & Western Railroad excursion train was a horrific disaster of the era, still considered one of the worst wrecks in American rail history, according to the historical marker.

Railroad crossing of today, north of the historical marker.

The marker goes on to point out that the train had "two engines and approximately twenty wooden coaches -- [traveling] from Peoria to Niagara Falls, struck a burning culvert. Of the 500 passengers, about 85 perished and scores were injured."

Also see: Circus Performer Graves | Durand, MI Circus Train Wreck | Ashtabula Horror

Horrible Train Wreck Happened Here

Address:
US Hwy 24, Chatsworth, IL
Directions:
Three miles east of Chatsworth on US Hwy 24. Railroad is visible on N. 1200 Rd E.
Admission:
Free.
RA Rates:
Worth a Detour
Save to My Sights

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