Beckley in Raleigh County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Upper Big Branch Mine Explosion

Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 15, 2019

1. Upper Big Branch Mine Explosion Marker

Inscription.
An explosion underground at Montcoal in western Raleigh County on April 5th, 2010 took the lives of 29 miners listed below:

Deceased Miners
Carl C Acord, 52, Roof Bolter Operator
Jason M. Atkins, 25, Roof Bolter Operator
Christopher L. Bell, Sr., 33, Longwall Utility
Gregory S. Brock, 47, Electrician
Kenneth A. Chapman, 53, Roof Bolter Operator
Robert E. Clark, 41, Continuous Miner Operator
Charles T. Davis, 51, Longwall Foreman
Cory T. Davis, 20, Underground Apprentice
Michael L. Elswick, 56, Beltman Foreman
William T. Griffith, 54, Continuous Miner Operator
Steven J. Harrah, 40, Assistant Mine Foreman
Edward D. Jones, 50, Assistant Mine Foreman
Richard K. Lane, 45, Longwall Foreman
William R. Lynch, 59, Shuttle Car Operator
Joe Marcum, 57, Continuous Miner Operator
Ronald L Maynor, 31, Scoop Operator
Nicholas D. McCroskey, 26, Underground Apprentice
James E. Mooney, 51, Shuttle Car Operator
Adam K. Morgan, 21, Underground Apprentice
Rex L. Mullins, 50, Headgate Operator
Joshua S. Napper, 26, Underground Apprentice
Howard D. Payne, 53, Roof Bolter Operator
Dillard E. Persinger, 32, Shield Operator
Joel R. Price, 55, Shearer Operator
Gary W. Quarles, Jr., 33,Shearer Operator
Deward A. Scott,

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58, Shuttle Car Operator
Grover D. Skeens, 57, Maintenance Foreman
Benny R. Willingham, 61, Roof Bolter Operator
Ricky L. Workman, 31, Shuttle Car Operator

Injured Miners
Timothy Blake, 56, Roof Bolter Operator
James K. Woods, 54, Electrician

What is remembered lives on.

Erected by Raleigh County Historic Landmarks Commission and Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Industry & Commerce • Natural Resources. A significant historical date for this entry is April 5, 2010.

Location. 37° 46.641′ N, 81° 11.383′ W. Marker is in Beckley, West Virginia, in Raleigh County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street and South Heber Street, on the right when traveling east on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 215 Main St, Beckley WV 25801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Raleigh County (a few steps from this marker); Eccles Mine Explosions (a few steps from this marker); Beckley (a few steps from this marker); Raleigh County World War II Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Citizens Hall Of Fame (within shouting distance of this marker); The Attar Center

Four Markers and a War Memorial image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 15, 2019

2. Four Markers and a War Memorial

This marker is the first to the right of the war memorial.

(within shouting distance of this marker); Civil War Site (within shouting distance of this marker); Salvation Wall (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Beckley.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Upper Big Branch Miners Memorial

Credits. This page was last revised on January 21, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 22, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 208 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 22, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.