Gennessee Township near Atwater in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Train Wreck
August 26, 2023
1. Train Wreck Marker
Inscription.
Train Wreck. . On June 24, 1882, one of the most disastrous railroad wrecks in Kandiyohi County's history took place here. The train left Willmar to travel to Grove City gravel yards with 45-50 men on board. Two and a half miles west of Atwater the train's tender jumped the track due to the heavy grade and fast speed. As the train approached a curve in the track, the engine derailed and rolled down an embankment into a slough. People from Willmar and Atwater came to the aid of the train crash victims. A total of thirteen men were killed and nineteen injured. The county coroner, district attorney and a jury investigated the crash. The jury found the crash was caused by the reckless manner the train was run and the negligence of St. Paul Minneapolis and Manitoba Railroad Company in establishing a speed for gravel trains. A mass grave of the victims is in Fairview Cemetery at Willmar.
On June 24, 1882, one of the most disastrous railroad wrecks in Kandiyohi County's history took place here. The train left Willmar to travel to Grove City gravel yards with 45-50 men on board. Two and a half miles west of Atwater the train's tender jumped the track due to the heavy grade and fast speed. As the train approached a curve in the track, the engine derailed and rolled down an embankment into a slough. People from Willmar and Atwater came to the aid of the train crash victims. A total of thirteen men were killed and nineteen injured. The county coroner, district attorney and a jury investigated the crash. The jury found the crash was caused by the reckless manner the train was run and the negligence of St. Paul Minneapolis and Manitoba Railroad Company in establishing a speed for gravel trains. A mass grave of the victims is in Fairview Cemetery at Willmar.
Erected by the State of Minnesota through the Minnesota Historical Society from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the Kandiyohi Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical date for this entry is June 24, 1882.
Location. 45° 8.088′ N, 94° 50.326′ W. Marker is near Atwater, Minnesota, in Kandiyohi
Click or scan to see this page online
County. It is in Gennessee Township. Marker is on County Road 4 Northeast, 0.3 miles south of Highway 12 Northeast (U.S. 12), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Atwater MN 56209, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 29, 2023. This page has been viewed 125 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 29, 2023.
