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
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Regionally, this marker is in Greater Fort Wayne. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Lt. Col. William Swaim (approx. 3.3 miles away); Dr. Joseph Knox / Henry Miller / Elizabeth Miller Harvey (approx. 3.4 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 3.4 miles away); War Memorial (approx. 3.4 miles away); Deam Oak (approx. 3.7 miles away); Horeb Cemetery (approx. 5.2 miles away); a different marker also named War Memorial (approx. 5.2 miles away); Bluffton Mill Race (approx. 6.2 miles
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 659 times since then and 50 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.
