Rochester NH History - The First Fatal Car Accident in Rochester

In July 1911 a train smashed into a car driven by Thomas Morin. This accident was Rochester's first fatal auto accident and was the catalyst for protecting the railroad intersections in the city.

[@homelesshelpforjax]

I live in rochester NH I’m 18 I love hearing this history I will keep watching as you keep posting. Thank you -Andreas

[@markfrench8892]

A horn sound for the steam whistle?

[@grandcrappy]

Outside of historic Aurora, IL. authorities finally built about a 12 ft mound of earth over the original roadbed for a mile or so near the old ex-roundhouse because of the high number of fatals.

[@markcrew3696]

Well I'm sure back then any person driving a car would have to be situationally aware because there were no such things as traffic lights probably didn't have any stop signs I don't know. Also the horn you used from your video was from a modern diesel locomotive The horns on steam locomotives back then were powered by steam and had a distinct different sound to them kind of hard to explain since really no one can relate to that sound today unless you go on UA-cam and listen to some old steam locomotive still operating for excursions. Steam horns were all over the place back then from steam shovels to horns used to get the workforce back to the factory and even used on some steam cars so it was a relatively common sound that maybe he heard and didn't think a train was coming.

[@JohnDavies-cn3ro]

Nice to see those old steamers double heading a freight - and look how they gleamed.
A sad story though; level crossings (as we call them in GB) have always been a risky business.

[@kevinharrington2078]

Well, to be fair it was early technology, but getting blasted by a train takes a special kind of unawareness that luckily not many possess

[@charliefromnh7631]

Is there a map or the area at this time?
RR routes and City Streets?
Would this be the current South Main St/Columbus Ave area?

[@eucliduschaumeau8813]

Train crossings in 1911 were barely marked. It would have been easy for events like this to occur.

[@T128Productions]

2:00 “He did not hear the whistle of the oncoming train.”
**HORN SOUNDS**
But seriously though, this is a real tragedy, but sadly history tends to repeat itself way too often.

[@JacksonMillsFiremen]

Maybe you can help me out do you know what year the Fire Department was established in Rochester, NH

[@bobgriffin7504]

There is a Facebook group called Rochester NH Fire History. If you ask them you get your answer

[@JacksonMillsFiremen]

@@bobgriffin7504 ok thank you I've message the fire department on Facebook and asked, called and message them on Instagram and still no answer

[@timpriddy349]

Ummmm..........train horn-pfft