As rush hour came to a close on the evening of Thursday, May 25, 1950, the worst two-vehicle traffic accident in U.S. history took place at South State Street and 62nd Place on the Broadway-State streetcar line. The disaster involved a crowded Green Hornet PCC streetcar number 7078, a flooded viaduct at State and 63rd Streets, and a gasoline truck.
Thirty-three people were killed in the conflagration that resulted from the collision of the streetcar and the gasoline truck, five nearby buildings were destroyed, and 120 people were left homeless.
Based upon his book titled, “The Green Hornet Disaster,” Craig Cleve will discuss this tragic incident in Chicago’s transit history.
Craig Cleve will have copies of his book available for purchase on the side of The Lake Room following his program.
June 26, 2015: “Wisconsin Traction in Twilight” by Russ Schultz and Jeff Wien
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Central Electric Railfans' Association is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. P.O. Box 503, Chicago, IL 60690
