Villa Rica in Carroll County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Villa Rica Explosion

Photographed by David Seibert, December 8, 2007

1. Villa Rica Explosion Marker

Inscription. Around 11:00 a.m. on December 5, 1957, a natural gas leak under Berry’s Pharmacy caused an explosion that destroyed four buildings and damaged several others in Villa Rica’s downtown. The explosion killed twelve and injured twenty. The tragedy highlighted the need for both an organized local emergency response unit and the use of odor in the natural gas supply. The civil defense unit that resulted became a model for west Georgia. Ensuing litigation placed a considerable financial burden on the city, suppressing economic development for years. In terms of injury and loss of life, the explosion remains the most catastrophic event in Carroll County history.

Erected 2007 by Georgia Historical Society, City of Villa Rica, and Villa Rica Downtown Development Authority. (Marker Number 22-1.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is December 5, 1927.

Location. 33° 43.895′ N, 84° 55.178′ W. Marker is in Villa Rica, Georgia, in Carroll County. It is at the intersection of Bankhead Highway (U.S. 78) and South Candler Street, on the left when

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traveling west on Bankhead Highway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 130 Montgomery Street, Villa Rica GA 30180, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Piedmont

and in Metro Atlanta.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Villa Rica Explosion Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Bank of Villa Rica (within shouting distance of this marker); Villa Rica's Textile Industry (within shouting distance of this marker); Freedom Riders (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Mill (about 500 feet away); Thomas Andrew Dorsey (about 500 feet away); Thomas A. Dorsey (approx. 0.4 miles away); Fullerville Jail (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Villa Rica.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, April 12, 2025

2. Villa Rica Explosion Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on April 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 7, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 2,059 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 7, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 2. submitted on April 14, 2025, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.