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Crescent City
Established:
1885
Crescent City Current Population:
577
Crescent City Biography:
Crescent City, IL:
Crescent City is famous for the "Great
Fireball of 1970". On June 21st, 1970 Crescent city's 800
residents lived 80 miles south of Chicago.
 A
108-car Toledo, Peoria & Western Railroad train rumbled through town
Sunday morning. It derailed at about 6:15 a.m. Tank cars carrying liquid
propane bumped along and began burning. About 7:30 a.m. an explosion
involving three tank cars sent a fireball 1,000 feet above Crescent
City.
In all, 12 tank cars exploded, destroying downtown and some 15 homes. At
least 70 persons were injured and nine hospitalized. Damage was
estimated at $2 million.
The first explosion blotted out the daylight with thick black smoke.
Other explosions continued until 11 a.m. Two more tank cars continued
burning early today, but officials said it did not appear they would
explode.
Three-hundred firemen from about 40 communities rushed to assist
Crescent City. Water would eventually have to be trucked in because
explosions demolished water and power lines. Many of the injured people
were local firemen. Luckily, not one person was killed in the explosion.
Then Mayor Herbert Sterrenberg estimated damage to be at least $2
million in damages. The cause of the derailment was not officially
given, but state police reported somebody sighting a "flaming hotbox" at
Gilman, Ill., six miles west of Crescent City.
Follow the link for more detailed information Crescent City, IL:
http://www.city-data.com/city/Crescent-City-Illinois.html
The Crescent City Grade School website is undergoing some updates
and changes. We ask for you patience during this process. If you have
any questions or concerns, please contact the school. To post items on
this site please contact the webmaster.
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