Claremont in Belmont County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Tragedy Of Willow Grove No. 10
Photographed by Craig Doda, May 3, 2025
1. The Tragedy Of Willow Grove No. 10 Marker
When an explosion ripped through Willow Grove Mine No. 10 on March 16, 1940, the immediate and tragic loss of life traumatized the families of the deceased and the community, but the event also played a part in increased mining regulation.
As soon as the blast sounded, people rushed to the mine to help, with over one hundred workers rescued from the tunnels in the ensuing hours. In the end, seventy-two men died as a result of the explosion. Both federal and state officials responded first by assisting in rescue and recovery, expediting financial assistance to the bereaved, and conducting investigations.
The Hanna Coal Company touted its modern mining at Willow Grove with mechanized equipment and safety training. However, research after the event revealed that the use of black powder in the firing of a shot to open a coal seam triggered a massive explosion of accumulated gas and coal dust in the tunnels.
Two months after the explosion, experts provided testimony about Willow Grove to a Congressional subcommittee. By 1941, the Mine Inspection Act was passed, allowing federal inspectors to enter mines and make safety recommendations.
Erected 2022 by The Ohio Department Of Natural Resources. (Marker Number 07.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these
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Location. 40° 2.399′ N, 80° 50.596′ W. Marker is in Claremont, Ohio, in Belmont County. It is on Willow Grove Road (County Route 4) 0.3 miles west of Jungle Inn Road, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 65824 Willow Grove Rd, Bellaire OH 43906, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest, in the Ohio River Valley, 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, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Sacred Heart Catholic Church Bell (a few steps from this marker); Willow Grove Mine (a few steps from this marker); Willow Grove Mine was toured by Eleanor Roosevelt (a few steps from this marker); Ohio Department of Natural Resources 75th Anniversary (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome The 1828 Historical "S" Blaine Bridge (approx. 2.2 miles away); Blaine Hill "S" Bridge / Blaine Hill Viaduct (approx. 2.2 miles away); In Honor of Sgt. Sylvester Antolak US Army (approx. 3.6 miles away); Sgt. Sylvester Antolak (approx. 3.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Claremont.
Photographed by Craig Doda, May 3, 2025
2. The Tragedy Of Willow Grove No. 10 Marker
Photographed by Craig Doda, May 3, 2025
3. Willow Grove Miners Memorial
Credits. This page was last revised on May 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 7, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 252 times since then and 114 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 7, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
