Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Eastland Disaster

The <i>Eastland</i> Disaster Marker image. Click for full size.

By Barry Swackhamer, August 29, 2011

1. The Eastland Disaster Marker

Inscription. While still partially tied to its dock at the river’s edge, the excursion steamer Eastland rolled over on the morning of July 24, 1915. The result was one of the worst maritime disasters in American history. More than eight hundred people lost their lives within a few feet of the shore. The Eastland was filled to overflowing with picnic-bound Western Electric Company employees and their families when the tragedy occurred. Investigations following the disaster raised questions about the ship’s seaworthiness and inspection of Great Lakes steamers in general.

Erected 2000 by The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, The Eastland Disaster Historical Society, The City of Chicago, and the Illinois State Historical Society.

Marker series. This marker is included in the Illinois State Historical Society marker series.

Location. 41° 53.224′ N, 87° 37.941′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. Marker is at the intersection of West Wacker Drive and North LaSalle Street on West Wacker Drive. Touch for map. Marker is located on the Chicago Riverwalk. Marker is at or near this postal address: 144 West Wacker Drive, Chicago IL 60601, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within

By Barry Swackhamer, August 29, 2011

2. The Eastland Disaster Marker

walking distance of this marker. “Hubbard’s Folly” (here, next to this marker); South Water Street (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Post Office (approx. ¼ mile away); Wacker Drive (approx. ¼ mile away); Site of the Sauganash Hotel/Wigwam (approx. ¼ mile away); Washington Block (approx. 0.3 miles away); Augustus Garrett (approx. 0.3 miles away); Third Church Building (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Also see . . .
1. Eastland Disaster Historical Society. (Submitted on September 29, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of San Jose, California.)
2. The Eastland. Photos showing the progression of the original marker to the present. Additional links are provided giving information on the disaster. (Submitted on October 3, 2011.)

Categories. • Waterways & Vessels •

By Barry Swackhamer, August 29, 2011

3. The Eastland Disaster Marker

The <i>Eastland</i> Disaster image. Click for full size.

Wikipedia, circa 1915

4. The Eastland Disaster

Passengers being rescued from the hull of the Eastland by the tugboat Kenosha in the Chicago River.

The <i>Eastland</i> Being Righted Following the Disaster image. Click for full size.

Wikipedia, circa 1915

5. The Eastland Being Righted Following the Disaster

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on September 29, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of San Jose, California. This page has been viewed 921 times since then and 48 times this year. Last updated on November 28, 2012, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. This page was the Marker of the Week July 19, 2015. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 29, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of San Jose, California. 4, 5. submitted on October 3, 2011. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.