Catch-Me-Eye site (Selma, North Carolina)

USA / North Carolina / Selma / Selma, North Carolina
 explosion site, historical layer / disappeared object
During WWII, the crossroads was the site of a large explosion resulting from a car colliding with a military munitions truck.
_________________________________________
Catch-Me-Eye was the name given to a popular tavern-cabin-service station complex on Highway 301 just south of Selma. A truck bound for Fort Bragg loaded with 30,000 pounds of munitions collided with an automobile and caught on fire about 100 yards north of the Catch-Me-Eye, bringing traffic to a halt. Despite warnings to motorists, a vehicle attempted to pass the wreckage when the truck exploded just before 3 am on March 7, 1942. Four people were killed, and many others were injured. The entire Catch-Me-Eye complex and the 2 1/2 story Hotel Talton across the road were levelled, and windows shattered over a mile away in Selma's Edgerton Memorial Methodist Church. Many local people were convinced the explosion was an air raid by the Germans.
Info from: www.johnstonnc.com/jc_hc_archives_biopage.cfm?collectio...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=4f_J-eVdo50
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   35°31'29"N   78°17'58"W

Comments

  • The car that hit the munitions truck was driven by my Grandpa's first wife. My Grandpa and their two children made it out alive but Minnie Lewis was killed in the accident.
  • My Pop Pop was the marine who pulled everyone out of the burning car. He never talked about it and I never really knew how huge the explosion was till now. I'm so thankful that he survived and was able to help other people. He was an awesome person. He was funny and truly loved being around all people.
  • I was a ten year old kid living in Smithfield at the time. The explosion woke me up that night. The next day we drove over and saw the hole left by th explosion.
This article was last modified 12 years ago