Accidents

The ease, speed, and convenience of better transportation technology also comes with a down side. Accidents are an unfortunate inevitable consequence of travelling at higher speed with large and heavy equipment.

Photo: Markham Museum Collection M.1998.0.46

Photo: Markham Museum Collection M.1998.0.50

Photo: Plane that had crashed into a windmill and fell into the orchard of George Harding of Richmond Hill, 27 July 1926. Gift of Mr. Alan Metcalfe M.1983.8.27

Hurricane Hazel was a major disaster event that affected Markham and its residents in many ways, including its transportation infrastructure. On October 15th, 1954, many bridges were either washed out or destroyed from the flood waters, including the CPR bridge over the Rouge River NW of Steeles and Con. 9. Flooding also caused a passenger train to derail just north of Mount Joy.

Photo: CPR Bridge, NW of Steeles Ave. and Ninth Line, damaged by Hurricane Hazel flood waters. Gift of Gordon Hagerman M.1985.12.24.1

The damage caused by flooding was severe enough to spur the establishment of the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), after the publication of the Rouge Duffin Highland Petticoat report in 1956. The result was restrictions on where development could occur in the GTA. The creation of the Milne Conservation Area, for example, was a result of what was learned from Hurricane Hazel.

Photo: Markham train derailment, 1954. Markham Museum Collection M.1973.40.16