150 years ago a train tragedy in WNY claimed the lives of 49 men and women. The horrific incident, dubbed the “Angola Horror”, resulted in game changing rules and regulations for the locomotive industry. From calling for properly secured heating stoves aboard the passenger cars, to upgrading wooden cars to iron, the train catastrophe was considered instrumental in bringing about future safety reforms.
The unfortunate passengers were Buffalo-bound, traveling on the New York Express of the Lake Shore Railway, from Cleveland, Ohio. The derailment in the Village of Angola was caused by poor braking systems and non-standardized track gauges. Both issues were addressed after the accident.
In all of the years since the Angola Horror incident, there was never a proper burial marker that recognized the unidentified victims of the accident. This Saturday, Forest Lawn will host a special ceremony that will honor those who lost their lives (December 18, 1867) when a train derailed and caught fire.
It is interesting to note that future oil magnate John D. Rockefeller was scheduled to be on that train, but he missed it. He was so close to boarding the train that his luggage was onboard, while he was not.
Saturday’s ceremony at the cemetery will include:
A dedication ceremony lead by the Friends of the Village of Angola. They will be joined by representatives of Forest Lawn.
Charity Vogel, Buffalo News reporter and author of the book The Angola Horror: The 1867 Train Wreck That Shocked the Nation and Transformed American Railroads, which recounts the story of the tragic accident, will deliver brief remarks at the dedication ceremony.
Monument Dedication for victims of Angola Horror train wreck
Saturday, May 14, 2016 | 10am
Forest Lawn – Section 3 | 1411 Delaware Ave, Buffalo, NY
To reach the site, enter at the Delaware Avenue gate and follow the arrow signs which will be placed on the roadside for this event.
Note the in the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved to the Forest Lawn chapel.