Railroad crash in Felton

Drawing of a fatal train crash that occurred in the 1880s near Paradise Park. The people were on benches in flatcars and were crushed when the train tipped over. It is believed that the locomotive was too heavy. Forty people were killed who were returning from Big Trees to the beach.
Creator: Arthur F. Keller
Source: Original publication “The Wasp”. Republished in the Valley Press. Tom McHugh was the historian who recounted the story.
Date: 1880-05
Type: NEWS
Coverage:
  • Felton
  • Santa Cruz
  • 1880s
Identifier: Fe-FEL-Railroads-25

Collection

Faye Ellis Collection

Citation

Keller, Arthur F. “Railroad crash in Felton.” Original publication “The Wasp”. Republished in the Valley Press. Tom McHugh was the historian who recounted the story. 1880-05. SCPL Local History. https://history.santacruzpl.org/omeka/items/show/142387. Accessed 8 May 2026.