A standing-room-only crowd packed the Round Rock City Council chambers Sunday to pay tribute to the 90th anniversary of the Immortal Ten.
Ten young men representing Baylor University were killed when their bus was struck by a train at an at-grade crossing at Mays Street near Main Street on Jan. 22, 1927. The bus was traveling to a basketball game at The University of Texas. The crash killed several players, a yell leader and the editor of the student newspaper. They have since become known as the Immortal Ten.
On Sunday, a contingent of representatives from Baylor University, more than two dozen family members of those killed in the accident and more than 100 Baylor alumni and area residents gathered for the unveiling of the updated Mays Street Bridge, which was the first bridge built over railroad tracks in the state of Texas.
Those in attendance walked three blocks from City Hall to the bridge to see the plaques and lampposts commemorating the historic event. Union Pacific donated $100,000 for the upgrades to honor the Immortal Ten. As participants walked to and from the bridge, trains came through the busy route.
“It was a way for us to recognize the history of this,” Round Rock Mayor Alan McGraw said during the ceremony. “These aren’t just names on a plaque Their lives were not meaningless. They continue to have an impact on our lives.”
McGraw introduced the families represented and told stories of those who died in the accident.