Chautauqua County Historian Michelle Henry presents this second program in the 2019 Chautauqua County History Lecture Series, about an incident with which many in the area think they are familiar … but do they know the full story?

In the southwestern part of the Town of Portland is the area known as Prospect Station, named for the railroad station and post office that existed there in the 1860s. A horrific train wreck on Christmas Eve, 1872, killed 25 people, most of them local residents traveling for the holidays.

This program will include information on the early families who settled the area, the significance of the railroad line and its demise, and the tragedy in 1872 … and perhaps a few unknown details.

Tickets available at the door; admission is FREE, although donations will be accepted