Farmington in Marion County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Farmington Disaster

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 23, 2009

1. Farmington Disaster Marker

Inscription. Explosion in Consolidated Coal No. 9 mine November 20, 1968 resulted in deaths of 78 miners, with only 21 men rescued. Mine sealed ten days later due to fires and explosions. In 1969 recovery efforts began. Over ten year period the bodies of 59 miners were extracted. Mine permanently sealed in November 1978. This disaster led to passage of Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969.

Erected 2005 by West Virginia Celebration 2000 and the West Virginia Department of Archives and History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Government & Politics • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the West Virginia Archives and History series list. A significant historical date for this entry is November 20, 1968.

Location. 39° 30.678′ N, 80° 14.917′ W. Marker is in Farmington, West Virginia, in Marion County. It is at the intersection of U.S. 250 and Main Street (West Virginia Route 218), on the left when traveling south on U.S. 250. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Farmington WV 26571, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Central West Virginia.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

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 territory of the Mississippian Culture.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Waitman T. Willey (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Veterans Memorial (about 800 feet away); Indian Raid

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(approx. ¼ mile away); Monongah Mine Disaster Memorial (approx. 3.6 miles away); a different marker also named Veterans Memorial (approx. 4 miles away); Monongah Disaster (approx. 4 miles away); Italian-American Immigrants Memorial Bell (approx. 4 miles away); Monongah Heroine (approx. 4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Farmington.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Coon’s Fort (was approx. 3.8 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . . A Look Back at the Farmington Mine Disaster. National Public Radio All Things Considered story from January 5, 2006. “In 1968, a coal mining accident in the West Virginia town of Farmington left 78 people dead. Jim Yost, now retired, was working above ground for the No. 9 Mine when it happened. He tells Melissa Block about that day and how it affected his community.” 4 min. 43 sec. (Submitted on July 25, 2009.)

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 23, 2009

2. Farmington Disaster Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 5, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 25, 2009, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,686 times since then and 33 times this year. Last updated on December 20, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 25, 2009, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.