Alamo in Hidalgo County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

1940 Train-Truck Collision

Photographed by Larry D. Moore, August 27, 2021

1. 1940 Train-Truck Collision Marker

Inscription. On March 14, 1940, at this crossing of Tower Road and the Missouri Pacific rail line occurred an automobile accident resulting in the most fatalities on a Texas highway in the 20th century. An oncoming train collided with a truck carrying more than 40 agricultural workers, killing 34 of the workers, who ranged in age from ten to 48. The neighboring citrus packing plant served as headquarters for rescue operations. The tragedy affected many lives in the Alamo community and across the Rio Grande Valley, resulting in renewed attention to safety issues surrounding railroad crossings and the transportation of agricultural workers.

Erected 2002 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 12628.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Disasters. A significant historical date for this entry is March 14, 1940.

Location. 26° 10.922′ N, 98° 6.694′ W. Marker is in Alamo, Texas, in Hidalgo County. It is on North Tower Road north of Business U.S. 83, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 N Tower Rd, Alamo TX 78516, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South Texas.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Saint Joseph Catholic Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); Camp Ebenezer (approx. 1.4 miles away); Tom Mayfield (approx. 2.9 miles away); St. John the Baptist Catholic Church (approx. 2.9 miles away); St. John the Baptist Church Tower 1954 (approx.

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2.9 miles away); Old First National Bank Building Circa 1919 (approx. 3 miles away); San Juan Townsite (approx. 3 miles away); San Antonio & Rio Grande Railway (approx. 3.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alamo.

Photographed by Larry D. Moore, August 27, 2021

2. 1940 Train-Truck Collision Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 1, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 29, 2021, by Larry D. Moore of Del Valle, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,443 times since then and 98 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 29, 2021, by Larry D. Moore of Del Valle, Texas.