Kingsland Interurban Wreck
The interurban electric railway system grew in popularity with commuters for its speed and convenience after 1900. However, accidents were common on the large network of interurban track spread across the state. Two cars on the Fort Wayne & Wabash Valley Traction line, busy with passengers traveling to a county fair, collided north of Kingsland on September 21, 1910.
The larger car failed to pull over at the appointed switch and telescoped the smaller car on a blind curve. Forty-one passengers died, despite the efforts of local residents. The Kingsland wreck led to strengthened safety protocols, such as automated signaling, which caused accidents to decrease. The interurban declined by 1930 with the rise of the automobile.
Erected 2019 by Wells County Historical Society; Indiana Historical Bureau. (Marker Number 90.2019.1.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 21, 1910.
Location. 40° 49.803′ N, 85° 10.587′ W. Marker is in Kingsland, Indiana, in Wells County. Marker is at the intersection of U.S. 224 and Market Street, on the right
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Deam Oak (approx. 3.7 miles away); Bluffton Mill Race (approx. 6.2 miles away); Sgt. William Bumparner (approx. 6.3 miles away); Wells County 1862 Cannon - Civil War (approx. 6.3 miles away); Wells County Courthouse (approx. 6.3 miles away); S. Bruce Kephart, M.D. (approx. 6.3 miles away); Pickett's Run (approx. 6.3 miles away); Charles C. Deam (approx. 6.3 miles away).
Credits. This page was last revised on March 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 9, 2021, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 212 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 9, 2021, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.