Point Pleasant in Mason County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Mason County Jail Explosion Memorial

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 31, 2021

1. Mason County Jail Explosion Memorial

Inscription.
In memory of the three officers who gave their lives in the line of duty.

Mason County Jail Explosion
March 2, 1976

Happy he, who dares courageously to defend what he loves.
Ovid

Elvin E. Wedge (Pete) June 19, 1927 - March 3, 1976
Kenneth W. Love (Kenny) April 14, 1940 - March 2, 1976
Ernest R. Hesson (Ernie) December 15, 1904 - March 9, 1976

Topics. This historical marker and memorial is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Law Enforcement. A significant historical date for this entry is March 2, 1976.

Location. 38° 50.657′ N, 82° 8.241′ W. Marker is in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, in Mason County. It is at the intersection of Viand Street (West Virginia Route 2 Spur) and 6th Street (County Road 62/29), on the right when traveling south on Viand Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Point Pleasant WV 25550, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker and memorial is in West Virginia’s Mid-Ohio Valley. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Ohio River Valley,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia.

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Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France

and also the territory of the Mississippian Culture.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: George Rogers Clark (a few steps from this marker); Corner of Sixth and Viand Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Mason County Memorial Park (within shouting distance of this marker); World War I Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Gold Star Mothers (within shouting distance of this marker); Korean and Vietnam Wars Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); World War II Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Sam Littlepage (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Point Pleasant.

Photographed by Craig Doda, December 25, 2021

2. Mason County Jail Explosion Memorial

Credits. This page was last revised on January 5, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 3, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 616 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 3, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2. submitted on January 5, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio.