On September 27, 1903, just outside Danville, Virginia, Southern Railway’s Fast Mail train, No. 97—known as “Old 97" conducted by Joseph “Steve” Broady, who was reportedly ordered to make up for lost time, approached a trestle at excessive speed, estimated between 50 to 70 mph, far too fast for the curve. Unable to slow down, the train derailed and plunged into the ravine below. Of the 18 crew members aboard, 11 were killed and 7 injured, including the engineer, conductor, firemen, flagman, and several mail clerks. More than just a tragic accident, the wreck inspired the famous ballad “Wreck of the Old 97,” later recorded by Vernon Dalhart as the first million-selling country music record. The song sparked one of the earliest major copyright lawsuits in music history, involving multiple claims of authorship and a Supreme Court appeal, shaping American music history. Today, memorials and markers preserve the story of Old 97. This wreck wasn’t just a tragic accident; it became a symbol of industrial ambition, human cost, and the power of storytelling through music.
This cache is NOT at the posted coordinates. To find the final location, you must read the plaque under the mural to obtain the coordinates of the final location. For this cache, enter the 4th digit of the engine number into the letter A and the 1st digit of the engine number into letter B. N 36° 35.AB5′ W 79° 23.358′
I hope you enjoy this cache. Please take time to read some of the interesting plaques close to the cache about The Old 97'. Feel free to bring small swag. Keep caching!