Johnson Creek in Jefferson County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Wisconsin’s First Train Wreck

Photographed by Eric Kuntz, July 17, 2025

1. Wisconsin’s First Train Wreck Marker

Inscription.

On November 1, 1859, while on an excursion trip from Oshkosh to Chicago, the locomotive Perry H. Smith struck an ox near here. The train was pulling 11 cars and carrying an estimated 600 people. Five cars derailed, killing 14 and leaving at least 30 injured. While the crash was determined to be unavoidable, the accident led to the required fencing of livestock along this line.

Erected 2025 by Johnson Creek Historical Society and Wisconsin State Historical Society. (Marker Number 628.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is November 1, 1859.

Location. 43° 5.095′ N, 88° 46.538′ W. Marker is in Johnson Creek, Wisconsin, in Jefferson County. It is on Union Street, on the left when traveling south. The marker is on the west side of Firemen’s Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 511 Union St, Johnson Creek WI 53038, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Wisconsin and in Greater Madison.

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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 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: 94th Combat Infantry Division (approx. 2.4 miles away); In Service to Their Country (approx. 2.4 miles away); Wisconsin Prairies (approx. 2.4 miles away); Agriculture and Gathering (approx. 4.4 miles away); Princess Burial Mound (approx. 4.4 miles away); Anne Pickett (approx. 4½ miles away); Mamre Moravian Church (approx. 4½ miles away); House Structures (approx. 4½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Johnson Creek.

Photographed by Eric Kuntz, July 17, 2025

2. Wisconsin’s First Train Wreck Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 19, 2025, by Eric Kuntz of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 899 times since then and 188 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 19, 2025, by Eric Kuntz of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.