Waverly in Humphreys County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Waverly Disaster

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 19, 2020

1. Waverly Disaster Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

On February 24, 1978, two days after a Louisville and Nashville train wrecked on this site, workmen were cleaning up when 22,000 pounds of liquid propane fuel from a derailed tanker car ignited and caused a massive explosion. The blast and resulting fire destroyed a great part of Waverly's old town section that included homes and businesses. Sixteen people were killed in the disaster, including Waverly's police and fire chiefs. More than 200 people suffered injury, and damage was in the millions of dollars.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3E 22.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is February 24, 1978.

Location. 36° 5.235′ N, 87° 47.523′ W. Marker is in Waverly, Tennessee, in Humphreys County. Marker is on East Railroad Street just west of Richland Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 107 Richland Ave, Waverly TN 37185, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

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are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Waverly Disaster (a few steps from this marker); Hotel Dixieland (approx. 0.2 miles away); McAdoo House (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named The McAdoo House (approx. ¼ mile away); Porch-Reed School (approx. ¼ mile away); Reynoldsburg (approx. 0.3 miles away); Court House Bell (approx. 0.3 miles away); Humphreys County War Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Waverly.

Also see . . . Waverly, Tennessee tank car explosion (Wikipedia). (Submitted on September 21, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 19, 2020

2. Waverly Disaster Marker

Waverly Disaster Victims image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 19, 2020

3. Waverly Disaster Victims

This stone, in a nearby memorial park, lists those killed in the disaster.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 21, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 21, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 347 times since then and 144 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 21, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.