Bridge collapse 150 years ago among deadliest disasters in US history

A bridge collapse in Dixon, Illinois in 1873 killed 46 people and injured 56 others during a baptism procession.
The poorly designed bridge had collapsed before and was known as "The Truesdell Trap" and "The Patent Wholesale Drowning Machine."
The collapse was caused by the weight of the crowd on the bridge and trapped victims under its ironwork like a gate.
The bustles of women's fashion at the time may have contributed to the high number of women and children killed, making up most of the victims.
A new memorial will be dedicated at the site of the collapse on May 7, 2023 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of one of the deadliest disasters in US history.