| Ashtabula Train wreck & Chestnut Grove Cemetery Investigation Notes April 01, 2008 |
Before
After
Today
Brief Site History:
On December 29, 1876, at 7:28 pm, The Lake shore & Michigan Southern Railway (Train #5) - "The Pacific Express" - began its crossing of this
bridge in Ashtabula. As the train, along with passengers, was just about to reach the other side of this 70 foot gorge, the bridge collapsed sending
the rail cars to the icy waters below. During the trains descent, a huge fire then broke out within the passenger cars. According to records, there
were 159 passengers on board with 64 injured, 92 fatalities with at least 48 of these who were unrecognizable after recovery efforts. Legend says
on the anniversary of the train disaster one can still hear the screams, sobbing and even the train.
Nearby Chestnut Grove Cemetery was chosen as the final resting place for these lost souls. A monument was constructed to recognize and keep
these people in our mind and history. Chestnut Grove is also said to be haunted by these lost spirits.
Investigation:
On April 01, 2008, three members of LT-Ohio visited both of these sites. Patti, Lori & Richard began at Chestnut Grove Cemetery around 2:30 pm
on this partially cloudy day. Temperatures started in the low 50s and dropped throughout the day along with increasing winds, gusting at times.
Members ventured through the entire cemetery grounds noting specific areas which carried a heavy feel of depression. In a few other areas of this
property members reported a feel of someone watching or even following behind them from time to time, with no one of human substance to be seen.
After spending just over and hour in the cemetery, members moved on to the actual site of the train disaster.
Once finding the path back to the site, members once again spent just over an hour walking around and taking some photos. Members reported
"nothing out of the ordinary felt or encountered" during their visit to this area.
All data retrieved from these two sites: Photographs, EMF & EVP work, showed negative results. EVP work was very limited due to the windy
weather conditions.
On December 29, 1876, at 7:28 pm, The Lake shore & Michigan Southern Railway (Train #5) - "The Pacific Express" - began its crossing of this
bridge in Ashtabula. As the train, along with passengers, was just about to reach the other side of this 70 foot gorge, the bridge collapsed sending
the rail cars to the icy waters below. During the trains descent, a huge fire then broke out within the passenger cars. According to records, there
were 159 passengers on board with 64 injured, 92 fatalities with at least 48 of these who were unrecognizable after recovery efforts. Legend says
on the anniversary of the train disaster one can still hear the screams, sobbing and even the train.
Nearby Chestnut Grove Cemetery was chosen as the final resting place for these lost souls. A monument was constructed to recognize and keep
these people in our mind and history. Chestnut Grove is also said to be haunted by these lost spirits.
Investigation:
On April 01, 2008, three members of LT-Ohio visited both of these sites. Patti, Lori & Richard began at Chestnut Grove Cemetery around 2:30 pm
on this partially cloudy day. Temperatures started in the low 50s and dropped throughout the day along with increasing winds, gusting at times.
Members ventured through the entire cemetery grounds noting specific areas which carried a heavy feel of depression. In a few other areas of this
property members reported a feel of someone watching or even following behind them from time to time, with no one of human substance to be seen.
After spending just over and hour in the cemetery, members moved on to the actual site of the train disaster.
Once finding the path back to the site, members once again spent just over an hour walking around and taking some photos. Members reported
"nothing out of the ordinary felt or encountered" during their visit to this area.
All data retrieved from these two sites: Photographs, EMF & EVP work, showed negative results. EVP work was very limited due to the windy
weather conditions.