Rocky Top in Anderson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Ghosts of Convict Miners

Photographed by Tom Bosse, March 4, 2017

1. Ghosts of Convict Miners Marker

Inscription. In 1877, convicts replaced striking Welsh miners in the Knoxville Iron and Coal Company Mine, located in the hollow to the south. Prison records show that 131 convict miners died there from 1877 to 1893, while others were caught igniting methane gas entering the mine to cook wild game over open flames.

Some believe the 1902 Fraterville Mine explosion was caused by ghosts of convict miners once again igniting methane gas to cook wild game. Fieldstones mark where convicts are buried, and only they know the origin of burn-spots and charred animal bones besides their graves.

Erected by Coal Creek Watershed Foundation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Coal Creek Watershed Foundation series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1877.

Location. 36° 12.883′ N, 84° 10.017′ W. Marker is in Rocky Top, Tennessee, in Anderson County. It is at the intersection of Beech Grove Road and Vowell Mountain Lane, on the left when traveling north on Beech Grove Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Rocky Top TN 37769, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Tennessee and in Greater Knoxville. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, 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: Fort Anderson (here, next to this marker); Why Miners Fought (here, next to this marker);

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Coal Creek War (here, next to this marker); Convict Lease System (here, next to this marker); Militia Hill (here, next to this marker); Breastworks (here, next to this marker); American Chestnuts (here, next to this marker); Fire on Coal Creek (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rocky Top.

Also see . . .
1. Ghosts of the Convict Miners. (Submitted on March 11, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)
2. Knoxville Iron Company. (Submitted on March 11, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Tom Bosse, March 4, 2017

2. Ghosts of Convict Miners Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 13, 2017. It was originally submitted on March 11, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,089 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 11, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.