05/20/2026
June 23rd will be the 126th anniversary of the Camp Creek Train Wreck. A tragedy that changed the entire energy in & around McDonough Ga.
Southern Ghost Investigations will be there at the wreck site for our annual remembrance & investigation of this terrible accident.
The Camp Creek train wreck occurred on June 23, 1900, just north of McDonough, Georgia, and stands as one of the deadliest passenger rail disasters in Georgia's history.
Southern Railway Train No. 7 (pulled by Engine No. 7), traveling from Macon to Atlanta, plunged 60 feet into a swollen creek after heavy, multi-week rains washed out the brick and masonry support pilings of the Camp Creek trestle bridge.
Out of the roughly 45 to 48 people on board, 39 passengers and crew members perished in the crash and subsequent fire, leaving only 9 or 10 survivors.
The Fatal Journey~
The Storm:
Relentless torrential rain had battered the region for over three weeks, causing massive flash floods that caused Camp Creek to overflow its banks.
The Delay:
Train No. 7 arrived on schedule at the McDonough depot around 8:50 PM, where passengers grew anxious and impatient over storm-related delays.
The Famous Quote:
When warned about the treacherous conditions and passenger nerves, Engineer J.T. Sullivan reportedly stated, "We'll either be having breakfast in Atlanta or in hell".
The Last Cross:
A "Red Ball" freight train safely crossed the bridge shortly before, tricking officials into believing the trestle was still structurally secure.
The Crash and Aftermath
The Plunge:
At roughly 1.5 miles north of the depot, the train reached the Camp Creek trestle. Sullivan spotted the washout and applied the emergency brakes, but the momentum carried the train over the edge into the 60-foot gorge.
The Fire:
Upon impact, the locomotive, baggage car, and second-class coaches instantly burst into flames. The extreme heat and raging waters prevented immediate rescue.
The Survivors:
All of the survivors were riding in the rear Pullman sleeper car, which did not catch fire.
Heroic Actions:
Despite his own injuries, flagman J.J. Quinlan scaled the muddy embankment and ran back to McDonough to alert the depot and stop oncoming trains.
Community Impact & Legacy
The Town Square Identification:
McDonough was a small town completely unequipped for a mass casualty event. Local establishments, including the Globe Hotel, were converted into temporary morgues.
Unidentified Victims:
The bodies were placed in makeshift wooden coffins in the town square (now Heritage Square) in the harsh June heat for families to identify. Because passenger records were poor, 11 victims remained unidentified and were buried locally.
‼️NOTE‼️
Investigating this area can be very dangerous if you are not familiar with the wreck site, the terrain & wildlife...and YES the psychic energies as well as the physical.
SAFETY FIRST FOLKS...
The tracks ARE still active & the danger posed by oncoming train traffic is a reality.
The site also backs up to a residential subdivision. Trespassing without proper prior permission is NOT recommended.
