Episode 170 - Love Amidst the Wreckage: The Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus Tragedy

The Ordinary, Extraordinary Cemetery

Jennie and Dianne relate a gripping yet heart-wrenching chapter of circus history that led to the first burials at Showmen's Rest in Chicago's beautiful Woodlawn Memorial Park. Listen in as they spotlight the Hagenbeck-Wallace circus train wreck of 1918 – a tragic event that claimed over 80 lives and left many injured. In the spirit of February and love-themed episodes, they explore the profound love that emerged amidst the wreckage. Despite the devastating accident, the survivors found solace and support within their tight-knit circus community. Tune in to the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast for an emotional journey through history, where even in the face of tragedy, love prevails.
To view this episode on YouTube, click here: https://youtu.be/3D9WZe3hoB8?si=xYfdnqFQ3gE9wK5C
Resources used to research this episode include:
Various articles located on www.newspapers.com
Grossman, Ron. "Circus graveyard: Showmen’s Rest and the Hagenbeck-Wallace tragedy of 1918." https://www.chicagotribune.com/. 12 Aug. 2016. www.chicagotribune.com/2016/08/12/circus-graveyard-showmens-rest-and-the-hagenbeck-wallace-tragedy-of-1918/. Accessed 4 Feb. 2024.
, Dignity Memorial . "About/Showmen's Rest." https://www.dignitymemorial.com/. www.dignitymemorial.com/funeral-homes/illinois/forest-park/woodlawn-funeral-home/7862. Accessed 4 Feb. 2024.
, Showmen's League . "Showmen's Rest." https://www.showmensleague.org/. 15 Sep. 2023. www.showmensleague.org/Showmens-Rest/13255248. Accessed 4 Feb. 2024.
, American Experience . "The Circus ." https://azpbs.org, 8 Oct. 2018, azpbs.org/2018/10/learn-the-history-and-cultural-impact-of-american-circus/#:~:text=The%20first%20U.S.%20circus%20was,a%20spectacle%20of%20their%20own.
"Ben Wallace." https://www.m.circusesandsideshows.com. www.m.circusesandsideshows.com/owners/ben-wallace.html. Accessed 4 Feb. 2024.
"Hagenbeck Wallace Circus." https://www.m.circusesandsideshows.com/. www.m.circusesandsideshows.com/circuses/hagenbeck-wallace-circus.html. Accessed 4 Feb. 2024.
"Benjamin E. Wallace." https://www.mthopeperu.com. www.mthopeperu.com/Documents/Ben%20Wallace%20Funeral%20Info.pdf . Accessed 4 Feb. 2024.
Higgins, Will. "The truths of the circus train crash of 1918 are more horrifying than myths ." https://www.indystar.com. 20 June 2018. www.indystar.com/story/entertainment/2018/06/20/hagenbeck-wallace-circus-train-crash-more-horrifying-than-myths/644289002/. Accessed 4 Feb. 2024.
"The Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus: 7 Fast Facts ." https://frenchlickresort.blogspot.com/. 22 July 2021. frenchlickresort.blogspot.com/2021/07/the-hagenbeck-wallace-circus-7-fast.html?m=1. Accessed 4 Feb. 2024.
Elwell, Mina. "WHAT 19TH-CENTURY CIRCUS LIFE WAS REALLY LIKE." https://www.grunge.com/. 26 Aug. 2023. www.grunge.com/1375360/what-19th-century-circus-life-was-like/. Accessed 4 Feb. 2024.
Berry, Chris. "Hagenbeck Wallace CARL HAGENBECK PERFORMING ELEPHANTS." https://www.collectorsweekly.com. www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/161680-hagenbeck-wallace-carl-hagenbeck-perfor. Accessed 4 Feb. 2024.
Boiseoneault, Lorraine . "The Hammond Train Wreck of 1918 Killed Scores of Circus Performers ." https://www.smithsonianmag.com. 22 June 2018. www.smithsonianmag.com/history/hammond-train-wreck-disaster-1918-killed-dozens-circus-performers-180969428/. Accessed 4 Feb. 2024.
Norton, Richard Arthur . "American Circus Corporation ." https://en.m.wikipedia.org. edited by ForsythJo, 22 July 2008. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Circus_Corporation. Accessed 4 Feb. 2024.
Lytle, Richard M. The Great Circus Train Wreck of 1918. The History Press, 2010, pp. 1 - 112.