The Greatest Wreck on Earth

June 27, 2018 6:19 PM

100 years ago last week, the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus Train Wreck occurred near Hammond Indiana. Let the History Guy tell you the story. Wikipedia.
posted by pjern (5 comments total)

A few years ago, I went with a friend to visit the Showmen's Rest section of the Woodlawn Cemetery, where the circus casualties were laid to rest. Humble and somber.
posted by notoriety public at 6:30 PM on June 27, 2018

This also inspired a track on The Residents latest album, The Ghost of Hope, "The Great Circus Train Wreck of 1918".
posted by SansPoint at 6:47 PM on June 27, 2018

Did this tragedy lead to any regulation of train drivers’ working hours?
posted by monotreme at 9:41 PM on June 27, 2018

This reminded me of another circus-related tragedy, the Hartford Circus Fire, recounted by Charles Nelson Reilly, who was there.
posted by kinnakeet at 2:17 AM on June 28, 2018 [2 favorites]

Kim Deitch made a swell circus tragedy yarn in an old Raw issue.
posted by ovvl at 4:36 PM on June 28, 2018