Moweaqua in Christian County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Moweaqua Coal Mine Disaster
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.
Marker series. This marker is included in the Illinois State Historical Society marker series.
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. Marker is in this post office area: Moweaqua IL 62550, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 7 other markers are within 14 miles of this marker
By Bill Kirchner, April 30, 2012
2. Moweaqua Coal Mine Disaster Marker & Memorial
Categories. • Disasters •
By Bill Kirchner, April 30, 2012
3. Pogenpohl Ready-Mix Plant
More. Search the internet for Moweaqua Coal Mine Disaster.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on May 23, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 775 times since then and 4 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.
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