A Ticket Exchange That Changed Everything (July 24, 1915)
German Expressionist style poster for "The Eastland Disaster," featuring a dramatic, angular illustration of a steamboat on turbulent waters with intense, moody colors and sharp lines. The text reads "The Eastland Disaster - July 24, 1915 - Chicago." The background includes abstract, dynamic elements and strong geometric shapes. The design captures the haunting and catastrophic essence of the event.
A Ticket Exchange That Changed Everything
Things could have turned out differently if my grandmother, a Western Electric employee, had attended the annual picnic on July 24, 1915. But feeling awful due to her pregnancy, she gave her tickets to her 19-year-old sister, Martha Pfeiffer. For Martha, it was a one-way ticket to eternity.
Being thankful is a big deal for me—perhaps it's how I was raised. As a child, I didn't enjoy writing thank-you notes to family and friends who gave me gifts. My mother, who wanted to ensure that she didn't raise a couple of ungrateful miscreants-- stood vigil over me, ensuring I completed my task. She'd occasionally lecture while I wrote, "You don't take advantage of people's kindness and generosity—ever!"
Somewhere along the line, her lessons "stuck," and gratitude became a part of my life.
My mother stands over me now in spirit, reminding me that on this day, a ticket exchange happened, and we all got to live.
On July 24, 2024, I reflect on how different things could have been. Much of my work on my family's history—and now, other families' histories—is a long thank-you letter to all of them.
Related Links
In this video, we commemorate the 109th anniversary of the Eastland disaster by highlighting the individuals whose stories have been covered in our podcast since November 2023. These untold narratives honor the memory and legacy of those affected by the tragedy. Here is the link to the complete video: https://tinyurl.com/2bps9bvt
