Near Leivasy in Nicholas County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Miracle at Hominy Falls

Photographed by Mike Davis

1. Miracle at Hominy Falls Marker

Inscription. On May 6, 1968, the Gauley Coal and Coke Company's Saxsewell No. 8 mine, located along Hominy Creek, flooded when a continuous miner accidentally cut into an abandoned mine full of water. Eli E. Walkup, Renick F. McClung, Claude R. Dodd Jr., and William F. Burdette died at once. Fifteen men were saved on May 11. Rescue efforts continued and freed six more men on May 16.

Erected 2018.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Industry & Commerce • Notable Events. In addition, it is included in the West Virginia Archives and History series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 6, 1968.

Location. 38° 9.223′ N, 80° 41.407′ W. Marker is near Leivasy, West Virginia, in Nicholas County. It is on West Virginia Route 20 just south of County Road 13, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5736 State Route 20, Leivasy WV 26676, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the New River Gorge

and in Greater Charleston Area.

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 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Leivasy (approx. half a mile away); Nicholas County / Greenbrier County (approx. 5 miles away); Coal Miners Memorial & Heritage Park (approx. 6.7 miles away); Coal Miners Memorial

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(approx. 6.7 miles away); Hawks Nest Tunnel Disaster Workers Grave Site (approx. 10.3 miles away); Hughes Ferry / Bridge (approx. 10.4 miles away); Hawks Nest Workers Memorial and Grave Site (approx. 10½ miles away); Crupperneck Bend (approx. 10.6 miles away).

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, July 17, 2023

2. Miracle at Hominy Falls Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 18, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 30, 2022. This page has been viewed 2,156 times since then and 196 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 30, 2022, by Marie Pavlovsky of Taylor, Texas. 2. submitted on July 18, 2023, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.