Pittston in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Twin Shaft Disaster

Photographed by Craig Swain, July 25, 2008

1. Twin Shaft Disaster Marker

Inscription. On June 28, 1896, fifty-eight men were killed in a massive cave-in of rock and coal here, in the Newton Coal Company's Twin Shaft Colliery. An investigative commission, appointed by the Governor, reported on Sept. 25. Although its safety recommendations would often be ignored, the disaster was a factor that led to a stronger unionization of this region under John Mitchell after 1900.

Erected 1992 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Labor Unions. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 28, 1896.

Location. 41° 20.493′ N, 75° 47.156′ W. Marker is in Pittston, Pennsylvania, in Luzerne County. It is at the intersection of North Main Street and Union Street, on the right when traveling north on North Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pittston PA 18640, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Pennsylvania’s Anthracite Coal Region,

in the Wyoming Valley,

and in Greater Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern 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 Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Pittston Fort (approx. 0.8 miles away); a different marker also named Pittston Fort (approx. 0.8 miles away); Erie Railroad Co. v. Tompkins (approx. one mile away); Jenkins Fort

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(approx. one mile away); a different marker also named Jenkins' Fort (approx. one mile away); Mosier Cemetery (approx. 1.1 miles away); Hughestown School District (approx. 1.1 miles away); World War 2 Memorial (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pittston.

Also see . . .
1. Twin Shaft Disaster. A compilation of newspaper accounts of the disaster. (Submitted on August 19, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

2. Twin Shaft Disaster - Behind the Marker. ExplorePAHistory.com (Submitted on July 20, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

Photographed by Craig Swain, July 25, 2008

2. Twin Shaft Disaster Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 19, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 9,179 times since then and 100 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 19, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.