Des Plaines History Center presents lecture on streetcar disaster

On Thursday, July 11, the Des Plaines History Center will host a public lecture with Craig Allen Cleve, author of the book, “The Green Hornet Streetcar Disaster.”

As rush hour came to a close on the evening of May 25, 1950, one of Chicago’s new fast, colorful, streamlined streetcars — known as a Green Hornet — slammed into a gas truck at State Street and 62nd Place. The Hornet’s motorman allegedly failed to heed the warnings of a flagger attempting to route it around the truck, and the trolley, packed with commuters on their way home, barreled into 8,000 gallons of gasoline.

The gas erupted into flames, poured onto State Street, and quickly engulfed the Hornet, shooting flames 250 feet into the air. More than half of the passengers escaped the inferno through the rear window, but 33 others perished, trapped in front of the streetcar’s back door, which failed to stay open in the ensuing panic. It was Chicago’s worst traffic accident ever — and the worst two-vehicle traffic accident in U.S. history.

Craig Cleve will discuss the Green Hornet streetcar disaster at the Des Plaines History Center on Thursday, July 11. The program will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the Visitor Center at the history center, and will run for one hour. Although there is no charge for admission to the program, donations will be accepted at the door to help defray program expenses. Coffee and cookies will also be served.

Cleve is an author, educator and historian who lives in North Riverside, Ill. His second book, “The Green Hornet Streetcar Disaster,” was published by the Northern Illinois University Press in 2012.

For more information about this program, contact Adam at the history center, (847) 391-5399. Or visit the history center’s website at www.desplaineshistory.org.