Near Smithton in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Darr Mine Disaster

By Mike Wintermantel, April 28, 2012

1. Darr Mine Disaster Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

On December 19, 1907, an explosion killed 239 men and boys, many Hungarian immigrants, in Darr coal mine near Van Meter. Some were from the closed Naomi mine, near Fayette City, which exploded on Dec. 1, killing 34. Over 3000 miners died in December 1907, the worst month in United States coal mining history. In Olive Branch Cemetery, 71 Darr miners, 49 unknown, are buried in a common grave.

Erected 1994 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Industry & Commerce • Labor Unions. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission series list.

Location. 40° 9.269′ N, 79° 45.338′ W. Marker is near Smithton, Pennsylvania, in Westmoreland County. Marker is at the intersection of Pennsylvania Route 981 and Van Meter Road, on the right when traveling east on State Route 981. Located at the Olive Branch Baptist Church Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Belle Vernon PA 15012, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other

By Mike Wintermantel, April 28, 2012

2. Darr Mine Disaster Marker

markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Colonel Edward Cook (approx. 3.6 miles away); West Newton (approx. 4 miles away); Alliance Furnace (approx. 4.4 miles away); The 1948 Donora Smog (approx. 5½ miles away); Cement City (approx. 5.7 miles away); George Adam Weddell (approx. 6.6 miles away); Rabe Manor (approx. 6.7 miles away); Christian B. Anfinsen (approx. 6.7 miles away).

Also see . . .
1. Olive Branch Baptist Church. Website (Submitted on April 30, 2012, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

2. Darr Mine Disaster - Behind the Marker. ExplorePAHistory.com (Submitted on April 30, 2012, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

3. Darr Mine Explosion. Article from United States Mine Rescue Association (Submitted on May 5, 2012, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

Darr Mine Disaster Mass Grave image. Click for full size.

By Mike Wintermantel, April 28, 2012

3. Darr Mine Disaster Mass Grave

Located in the Olive Branch Cemetery

By Mike Wintermantel, April 28, 2012

4. Darr Mine Disaster Mass Grave

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2012, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 756 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 28, 2012, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.