The Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus Train Wreck

Just before 4 a.m. 88 years ago tomorrow Hammond Indiana suffered one of its worst tragedies ever and the worst ever circus train wreck. It happened just beyond the city's eastern border in Ivanhoe, Indiana. The Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus train was parked on a rail siding waiting to switch over to a track that would take it into Hammond.

The train was scheduled to stop at Calumet Avenue and 150th Street to set up their tents and perform for the scores of children and adults expected to attend. The train was not clear of the Michigan Central Railroad line, which it had just turned off, and right behind it was an empty troop train heading from Kalamazoo to Chicago. The troop train engineer didn’t see the circus train blocking his right of way, because he had just fallen asleep at the throttle. It took very few minutes for the troop train to plow full steam, an estimated 60 mph into the parked circus train. Reports state that 86 of the 300 passengers on board the circus train were killed and 127 were injured. Many were charred beyond recognition. Kerosene lanterns, used to light the sleeper cars on the circus train caused fire to break out, which spread rapidly. Another contributing factor was that most of the Pullman cars were made of wood.

The scene, as with all disasters, drew large crowds of curious onlookers. The scene took several days to control and clean up. The Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus had to only cancel 2 performances. The one in Hammond and its next stop Monroe, Wisconsin. This was due in part by the assistance by many of its competitors, including Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Shows lending needed equipment and performers so that the show could go on. Many of the city's residents and shop keepers gave food and clothing as well.

June 22 1918 will be remembered in Hammond Indiana as a day of death and sorrow. The sight of the accident will be forever burned in the eyes of its townspeople. The information for this article came from the Hammond Historical Society. If you want to learn more you can contact the Hammond Historical Society for more.
Contact the:
Hammond Historical Society
564 State Street
Hammond, IN 46320 USA
Phone: (219) 931-5100