Johnstown in Cambria County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Rolling Mill Mine Disaster

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, August 13, 2022

1. Rolling Mill Mine Disaster Marker

Inscription. On July 11, 1902, on this hillside. 112 bituminous coal miners, mostly immigrants. were killed in a gas explosion at Cambria Iron Company's Rolling Mill Mine. It was the first of four major mining accidents in PA contributing to the deadliest decade in U.S. underground coal mining history. Along with the anthracite coal strike that same year, the explosion led to the creation of a state Department of Mines in 1903 for the promotion of workplace safety.

Erected 2022 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Immigration • Labor Unions. A significant historical date for this entry is July 11, 1902.

Location. 40° 19.623′ N, 78° 55.523′ W. Marker is in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, in Cambria County. It is at the intersection of Pennsylvania Route 56 and Lincoln Street, on the right when traveling south on Pennsylvania Route 56. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Johnstown PA 15901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

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 Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Main Street and Point Stadium Ramp (within shouting distance of this marker); Calamity and Prosperity (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Johns Street Bridge (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Johnstown Flood

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(approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Johnstown Flood (approx. 0.2 miles away); Johnstown Local Flood Protection Project (approx. 0.2 miles away); Johnstown Incline (approx. 0.2 miles away); Flood Prevention (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Johnstown.

Also see . . . Rolling Mill Mine Disaster. (Submitted on August 13, 2022, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, August 13, 2022

2. Rolling Mill Mine Disaster Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 13, 2022, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,597 times since then and 81 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 13, 2022, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.