TRAIN WRECK
- Program
- Subject
- Location
- Lat/Long
- Grant Recipient
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NYS Historic
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Transportation
- 6857 NY-56, Potsdam, NY 13676, USA
- 44.7059, -74.9873
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Potsdam Public Museum
TRAIN WRECK
Inscription
TRAIN WRECKSITE OF BARNUM AND BAILEY'S
CIRCUS TRAIN ACCIDENT ON THE
NIGHT OF AUGUST 22, 1889
WHILE EN ROUTE TO MONTREAL.
DOZENS OF ANIMAL CASUALTIES.
WILLIAM G. POMEROY FOUNDATION 2020
On Thursday, August 22, 1889, the Barnum & Bailey Circus held an afternoon show at Gouverneur, NY. That evening the circus packed up and loaded two trains for Montreal, where they had a show scheduled the next day. The first train arrived without incident, but the second train carrying all the animals derailed about half way between Norwood and Potsdam, at Clark’s Crossing. Nearly all the animals in its six cars were killed, including 31 horses and trick ponies and two camels.