Gennessee Township near Atwater in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Train Wreck

August 26, 2023

1. Train Wreck Marker

Inscription. 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,

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94° 50.326′ W. Marker is near Atwater, Minnesota, in Kandiyohi County. It is in Gennessee Township. It 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.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Minnesota

and specifically in Southwest Minnesota. 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 Rupert’s Land,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Red River Trail (approx. 3.2 miles away); Wheeler Lake Camp (approx. 3½ miles away); Capitol Hill (approx. 3.7 miles away); Diamond Lake Camp (approx. 4 miles away); Diamond Lake Community Park (approx. 4 miles away); Backlund / Lorentson Monument (approx. 4.1 miles away); Carrie Johnson (approx.

August 26, 2023

2. Train Wreck Marker

4.1 miles away); Gates Homestead (approx. 4.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Atwater.

Train Wreck Marker, from the south image. Click for full size.

August 26, 2023

3. Train Wreck Marker, from the south

Train Wreck Marker, from the north image. Click for full size.

August 26, 2023

4. Train Wreck Marker, from the north

Credits. This page was last revised on August 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 29, 2023. This page has been viewed 749 times since then and 76 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 29, 2023.