Wreck of the Old 97

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Wreck of the Old 97

427 Patton St, Danville, VA 24541
(434) 793-1753
Website
More About Wreck of the Old 97

On September 27, 1903, the southbound Southern Railway express mail freight train, ‘Old 97’, ran off the tracks at Stillhouse Trestle and crashed into the ravine below. Eleven people died and six were injured. This event inspired the ballad “The Wreck of the Old 97” which was first recorded by G.B. Grayson and Henry Whitter.

The historic marker is located at 545 Riverside Dr.

Learn more from Encyclopedia Virginia: https://www.encyclopediavirginia.org/Wreck_of_the_Old_97#start_entry

View a video about the Wreck of the Old 97 featuring local historian Lawrence McFall: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHrJzaBogpo and view a video about the famous ballad inspired by the event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhfonYGaFrI on the Visit Danville VA YouTube channel.

View the Old 97 Mural at 310 Main St.

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