Rippled Legacy in the Chicago River: The Eastland Disaster Remembered
In this gripping episode in Chicago history, Ted and Barb Wachholz unravel the haunting story of the Eastland Disaster. They share their personal connection to the event and shed light on its profound generational impact. Discover the heart wrenching details of that fateful day, the 844 lives lost and the resilience of survivors. Delve into the lasting legacy of this maritime tragedy through the work of the Eastland Disaster Historical Society.
Don't miss this captivating exploration of the Eastland Disaster, where history comes alive and the past echoes through the present.
Ted and Barb Wachholz are co-founders of the Eastland Disaster Historical Society in Chicago.
Show Notes:
Quotes:
ED: “...That was one of the things that we decided early on when we organized, was that if we were gonna be successful, we had to tell the history through the eyes and voices of those that actually experienced it.”
BARB: “...we've also talked about how the times have changed so much where if that tragedy happened today... There are support groups, there are psychologists to talk to. They didn't have that back then. People would either talk amongst themselves within their family... or friends, but again, for those who were told, we're not gonna talk about this. That had to be absolutely horrible. I can only imagine that ripple effect of that trauma.”
TED: “Their voices were taken away from them. Their stories were taken away from them. But, you know... it's important to have a legacy. And if we can help preserve and share that legacy of those thousands of people, then there's value there.”
Links:
Eastland Disaster Historical Society
George W. Hilton, “Eastland: Legacy of the Titanic”
Engineer Shows Why the Eastland Was Unsafe, Chicago Tribune
(Reggie Bowles) Charles Reginald Elias Bowles- Unsung Hero of the Eastland Disaster 1915
New documentary brings to life Chicago’s deadliest day 104 years later, ABC 7, Eyewitness News
Natalie Zett, “Flower in the River: A Family tale, finally told”
