October 27, 1854 marks one of Canada's deadliest train disasters, and it happened Chatham-Kent.
"There was a passenger train that was coming from the Niagara area, and there were several delays. They were eight hours late and by the time they reached near Jeannette's creek, it was very early in the morning on October 27, 1854," explained Chair of the Chatham-Kent Heritage Network and Kent Historical Society President Lisa Gilbert. "They are coming along and it's dense fog, and a fully loaded gravel train, they [the gravel train] were positive the passenger train had already passed because it was eight hours late. They hadn't, and it was a head-on collision. There were over 50 people killed and about 100 people injured."
Now, almost 170 years after the disaster, the Chatham-Kent Heritage Network is unveiling a plaque to commemorate it near the location where it happened at Jeannette's Creek.
"I have lived my life on the premise that local history is the most important history of all. And it helps all of us to know our community better. It's an important event to commemorate and to know about," said Gilbert.
The Chatham-Kent Heritage Network is a group of historical societies and others interested in history that have come together to highlight Chatham-Kent's heritage.
"I've been involved in local history for more than 40 years and we've known for some time we've needed a group like this. A group that encompasses all the historical groups around Chatham-kent in a network where they can get to know each other and work on things together rather than toiling away in the trenches" said Gilbert.
The Baptiste Train Disaster plaque is just one of seven the network has set up across the county. All are part of their plaque initiative.
"We invited all the members of the network to send in nominations for a plaque. And we got seven in year one which we are in the process of unveiling right now, and then in year two, we have five more," said Gilbert.
The four currently on display are:
The Chatham-Kent Coloured All-Stars at Sterling Park
The Ferguson Opera House in Thamesville
The Crawford settlement not far from Rondeau Park
The beginnings of Erieau on the boulevard by the pavilion
The remaining plaques to be unveiled include the Baptiste Train Disaster on Saturday, June 8, one highlighting commercial fishing at Mitchell's Bay on Monday, June 24, and one for the Wallaceburg glass factory on Saturday, June 29.
"Eventually if we get enough plaques we can put together tours. Virtual tours, driving tours you name it, there are lots of possibilities. Each of these plaques has a QR code so people can go online and find out more about the topic," explained Gilbert.
Saturday will see the network revealing the Baptiste Train Disaster plaque near Tecumseh Line and Poppe Road at 1:30 pm and everyone is invited to attend.
"The actual ceremony will be quite brief, and then we will be going to St. Peter's hall to have a little reception," said Gilbert. "I find local history is what gets people interested in history. If you pass that plaque, about an accident that happened in 1854...you'll be able to say wow that happened right there and maybe it's a spot you pass every day."
Gilbert reassures that not all the plaques will be stories as sad as the train disaster and there are so many more the network wants to share in year three.
"There are so many stories we will never be able to plaque them all. But we hope to use electronic media to get that word out...maybe there's not an actual plaque there but you can use the QR code to find out about the stuff that happened. It's amazing some of the stuff that has happened in Chatham-Kent."
