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

Darr Mine Disaster

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, April 28, 2012

1. Darr Mine Disaster Marker

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 (PHMC) series list. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1886.

Location. 40° 9.269′ N, 79° 45.338′ W. Marker is near Smithton, Pennsylvania, in Westmoreland County. It is at the intersection of Pennsylvania Route 981 and Van Meter Road, on the right when traveling east on Pennsylvania 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.

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Regionally, this marker is in the Laurel Highlands

and in Greater Pittsburgh.

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 Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Smithton Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.7 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.7 miles away); Smithton Service Roll (approx. 0.7 miles away); M102 Howitzer (approx. 1.2 miles away); Col. George Crogan (Circa 1718 - 1782) (approx. 1.2 miles away); Rostraver Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.2 miles away); Mike Hazy Memorial Park (approx. 1.7 miles away); Cedar Creek Mill (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Smithton.

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.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, April 28, 2012

2. Darr Mine Disaster 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.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, April 28, 2012

3. Darr Mine Disaster Mass Grave

Located in the Olive Branch Cemetery

Photographed 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 2,086 times since then and 128 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 28, 2012, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.