Richmond in Wayne County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
1968 Downtown Richmond Explosion
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 15, 2009
1. 1968 Downtown Richmond Explosion Marker
Erected by City and People of Richmond.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Disasters. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1945.
Location. 39° 49.735′ N, 84° 53.722′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Indiana, in Wayne County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street (U.S. 40) and 5th Street, on the left when traveling west on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Richmond IN 47374, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Vietnam War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Freedom Fountain (within shouting distance of this marker); Wayne Township World War II Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Korean War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Richmond Police Department Memorial (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mendenhall-Clay Debate / Confrontation (approx. 0.2 miles away); C. Francis Jenkins (approx. 0.2 miles away); Sailor Street (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.
Also see . . . Wikipedia entry for Richmond, Indiana explosion
this page online
The explosions killed 41 people and injured more than 150. The primary explosion was due to natural gas leaking from one or more faulty transmission lines under the Marting Arms sporting goods store, located on the southeast corner of the intersection of 6th and Main (US 40) streets. A secondary explosion was caused by gunpowder stored inside the building.(Submitted on August 14, 2023, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.)
Additional commentary.
1.
The brick memorial for the 1968 explosion was designed on our dining room table by my mother, Richmond artist and civic leader Janet Reller. A garden dedicated to her is on the Northside of the Richmond Art Museum north of Richmond High School
— Submitted July 28, 2023, by Ross Reller of Indianapolis, Indiana.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 15, 2009
2. 1968 Downtown Richmond Explosion Memorial
Looking SW, with Wayne County Courthouse in background.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 29, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 28, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,631 times since then and 111 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 28, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
