Moweaqua in Christian County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Moweaqua Coal Mine Disaster
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, April 30, 2012
1. Moweaqua Coal Mine Disaster Marker
This is the site of the Moweaqua Coal Mine Disaster which on December 24, 1932, took the lives of all 54 miners entering the mine that day. The Moweaqua Coal Mine was Shelby County's largest. An unprecedented drop in barometric pressure allowed methane gas to escape into the mine. The explosion occurred at 8 a.m. when the gas was ignited by open flame carbide lights. Efforts of rescue teams searching for survivors were in vain, although all bodies were recovered. This marked the end of the era of open flame carbide lights.Erected 1990 by The Moweaqua Coal Mine Museum and the Illinois State Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Disasters. In addition, it is included in the Illinois State Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1830.
Location. 39° 37.239′ N, 89° 1.31′ W. Marker is in Moweaqua, Illinois, in Christian County. Marker is on West Cherry Street west of South Plum Street, in the median. Marker is on the grounds of the Pogenpohl Ready-Mix Plant. Touch for map.
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Other nearby markers. At least 7 other markers are within 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Moweaqua Coal Mine Disaster Memorial (here, next to this marker); Lincoln's Cavalry Guard (approx. 0.3 miles away); Abraham Lincoln - Eighth Judicial District (approx. 13 miles away); First Home in Illinois of Abraham Lincoln (approx. 13.4 miles away); Whitley Mill and Dam (approx. 13.4 miles away); First Home of Abraham Lincoln in Illinois (approx. 13.4 miles away); Site of the Lincoln Cabin (approx. 13.4 miles away).
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, April 30, 2012
2. Moweaqua Coal Mine Disaster Marker & Memorial
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, April 30, 2012
3. Pogenpohl Ready-Mix Plant
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on May 23, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,203 times since then and 105 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 23, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
