Nellis in Boone County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Nellis No. 3 Mine Explosion

Saturday November 6, 1943 7:00 p.m.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 13, 2019

1. Nellis No. 3 Mine Explosion Monument

Inscription. William C. Barker • Julias Domokos • Lester Gunnoe • William H. Gunnoe • O’Dell Linville • Onal O. Miller • John Setliff • Steve Turkovitch • Lawrence J. Vincent • John Williams • William O. Workman
— • — On Saturday, November 6, 1943, at 7:00 PM, an explosion occured at the American Rolling Mill Company’s No. 3 Nellis Mine. Nine men were killed instantly when a spark ignited methane in Section H, No. 38 Room. Two men survived the initial blast, but died hours later in a nearby hospital. This memorial is to honor their memory. They remain forever in our hearts.

Erected 1997 by Boone County Historic Landmark Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is November 6, 1943.

Location. 38° 9.029′ N, 81° 44.628′ W. Marker is in Nellis, West Virginia, in Boone County. It is on Memorial Drive near Ridgeview-Nellis Road (County Route 1), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 160 Memorial Dr, Nellis WV 25142, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Southern Coalfields.

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 territory of the Mississippian Culture.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Nellis / ARMCO Coal (within shouting distance of this marker); John Edward Kenna

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(approx. 3.3 miles away); Coal Discovered (approx. 3.6 miles away); Peytona (approx. 3.7 miles away); Robert Hager (approx. 6.8 miles away); Little Coal River (approx. 6.9 miles away); Madison (approx. 7.1 miles away); Boone County World War Memorial (approx. 7.1 miles away).

Another marker is no longer nearby. Indian Camp (was approx. 3.3 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . . American Rolling Mill Company Nellis No. 3 Mine Explosion. Excerpt:

The normal employment of Nellis No. 3 is 260, but Superintendent A. E. Oakley said the blast occurred when only 28 were at work.

Shortly after the explosion, which was so severe it ripped clothing from the miners’ bodies, a crowd of about 350 persons, including families and friends of those at work, gathered at the mine mouth and maintained a vigil until early this morning when the last bodies were removed.

Today, this little Boone County mining town was quiet as mourning widows and children prepared for burial services. Most of the miners will be buried at Madison, although Connor said the body of Turkovich would be taken to Niles, Ohio, for interment.

(Submitted on August 3, 2019.)

Nellis No. 3 Mine Explosion Monument, back side image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 13, 2019

2. Nellis No. 3 Mine Explosion Monument, back side

Nellis No. 3 Mine Explosion Memorial image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 13, 2019

3. Nellis No. 3 Mine Explosion Memorial

Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 13, 2019

4. Nellis No. 3 Mine Explosion Memorial

It is in sight of the former Nellis Community Church, visible in the background, now a museum.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 3, 2019. It was originally submitted on August 3, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,396 times since then and 62 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 3, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.