East Alton in Madison County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Wann Railroad Disaster

By Jason Voigt, September 15, 2019

1. Wann Railroad Disaster Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

The Wann Disaster of January 21, 1893, is Madison County’s most horrific railroad tragedy. It caused the greatest loss of life and cases of personal injury in a single incident. The accident occurred at the Wann Junction on the Big Four Railroad, near the intersection of Shamrock and Main Streets in present-day East Alton. An open switch allowed an approaching passenger train to collide with oil-tanker cars causing an explosion that ignited and sent 7,000 gallons of oil into the air. The resulting “rain of fire” killed more than 35 and seriously injured dozens of passengers, railroad workers, and spectators.

Erected 2019 by Phillip D. Walkington and the Illinois State Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Illinois State Historical Society series list.

Location. 38° 52.991′ N, 90° 6.659′ W. Marker is in East Alton, Illinois, in Madison County. Marker is on North

By Jason Voigt, September 15, 2019

2. Wann Railroad Disaster Marker

The Fred H. Bright Vital Services Building is behind the marker.

Shamrock Street, on the right when traveling south. It is located in front of the Fred H. Bright Vital Services Building, which houses the East Alton Museum and East Alton's fire and police departments. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 209 North Shamrock Street, East Alton IL 62024, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Lewis and Clark Expedition (approx. 1.6 miles away); In Remembrance - Wood River Massacre - July 10, 1814 (approx. 1.9 miles away); Robert Pershing Wadlow (approx. 2.3 miles away); John Mason Peck (approx. 2.3 miles away); College Avenue Presbyterian Church and the Old Rock House (approx. 2.4 miles away); College Avenue Presbyterian Church (approx. 2.4 miles away); Elijah Parish Lovejoy (approx. 2.4 miles away); Alton National Cemetery (approx. 2.9 miles away).

More about this marker. The marker was dedicated on June 15, 2019.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 18, 2019. It was originally submitted on September 17, 2019, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 112 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 17, 2019, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.