Danville, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Wreck of the Old 97

Photographed by Craig Swain, February 17, 2013

1. Wreck of the Old 97 Marker

Inscription. Here, on September 27, 1903, occurred the railroad wreck that inspired the popular ballad, "The Wreck of the Old 97". The southbound mail express train on the Southern Railroad left the tracks on a trestle and plunged into the ravine below. Nine persons were killed and seven injured, one of the worst train wrecks in Virginia history.

Erected 1947 by Virginia Conservation Commission. (Marker Number Q-5B.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Disasters • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 27, 1903.

Location. 36° 35.733′ N, 79° 23.55′ W. Marker is in Danville, Virginia. It is on Riverside Drive (Business U.S. 58) 0.2 miles east of Henry Road, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Danville VA 24540, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southside Virginia

and specifically in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

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,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Long Mill (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Union Street Bridge (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named The Wreck of the Old 97 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Preservation Alliance of Virginia

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(approx. 0.2 miles away); The Dan River (approx. 0.2 miles away); Union Street Dam & Bridge (approx. 0.2 miles away); Union Street Dam (approx. ¼ mile away); Mills Along The Dan (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Danville.

Also see . . .
1. Wreck of the Old 97. Encyclopedia Virginia website entry:
Includes a 1925 audio recording of the ballad. This was the first platinum* recording in the United States. This in the era of hand-cranked phonographs. *Platinum is the RIAA designation for more than one million copies sold. (Submitted on February 17, 2013, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

2. Video - Wreck of the Old 97. From a member of the Danville Historical Society. (Submitted on February 17, 2013, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Wreck of the Old 97 image. Click for full size.

via WikiCommons

2. Wreck of the Old 97

Photo apparently taken a few days after the wreck. The engine has been righted for recovery.

Photographed by Craig Swain, February 17, 2013

3. Wreck of the Old 97 Marker

Ravine beside the Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, February 17, 2013

4. Ravine beside the Marker

“Wreck of the Old 97” — Vernon Dalhart image. Click for full size.

Public Domain, via Discogs, 1925

5. “Wreck of the Old 97” — Vernon Dalhart

RCA Victor record label for a “Mountaineer’s Song with harmonica and guitar.” No. 19427 side A. The first recording to sell more than a million copies in the United States alone. The first “platinum” record.

Wreck of the Old 97 historic news articles image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, January 7, 2025

6. Wreck of the Old 97 historic news articles

Historic news articles on display on the wall of the Old 97 Tavern, a Danville restaurant themed after the wreck.

Old 97 Mail Train image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, January 7, 2025

7. Old 97 Mail Train

Portrait on display on the wall of the Old 97 Tavern, a Danville restaurant themed after the wreck.

Old 97 Engineer image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, January 7, 2025

8. Old 97 Engineer

Portrait on display on the wall of the Old 97 Tavern, a Danville restaurant themed after the wreck.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 17, 2013, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,709 times since then and 171 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 17, 2013, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 5. submitted on March 20, 2024, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 6, 7, 8. submitted on September 3, 2025, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia.