Near Beckley in Raleigh County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Mortality
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., June 21, 2014
1. Mortality Marker
This bronze, titled "Mortality," is the work of West Virginia sculptor Bill Hopen. His study of a dying tunnel worker eulogizes the many men lying in unmarked graves near Hawk's Tunnel about 30 miles from here. There was no memorial for nearly a thousand workers who died from breathing silica dust during tunnel construction. The tunnel was constructed to divert the New River three miles through a mountain to supply hydro-electricity to a private power plant at Gauley Junction, a subsidiary of Union Carbide Corporation. It was begun in 1930, completed in 1935, and is still in use today. The dam for the tunnel can be seen from Hawk's Nest State Park.
"I think it important that we remember these men as individual souls whose lives were needlessly cut short."
Bill Hopen
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Disasters • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1930.
Location. 37° 48.096′ N, 81° 13.008′ W. Marker is near Beckley, West Virginia, in Raleigh County. It can be reached from Tamarack Place west of Dickerson Drive. Marker and sculpture are at Tamarack, the West Virginia cultural heritage and artisan center. Tamarack is accessed from I-77 Exit 45.
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Regionally, this marker is in West Virginia’s New River Gorge. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern 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 territory of the Mississippian Culture.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Artist Mike Sizemore (within shouting distance of this marker); From Agriculture to Mining (within shouting distance of this marker); The Indian Path (within shouting distance of this marker); Dinky Locomotive (approx. 1.6 miles away); Raleigh County Coal Mines (approx. 1.6 miles away); Coal Camp Church (approx. 1.6 miles away); Bachelors Shanty (approx. 1.6 miles away); Miner's House (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Beckley.
Also see . . .
1. Hawk's Nest Tunnel Disaster. West Virginia Encyclopedia website entry (Submitted on July 6, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. Tamarack Marketplace. Website homepage (Submitted on July 6, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Additional keywords. Mortality
Photographed by Bradley Owen, August 8, 2025
2. Mortality Marker
Marker on its updated marker stand.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., June 21, 2014
3. Mortality Sculpture and Marker
Photographed by Bradley Owen, August 8, 2025
4. Mortality and Marker
Photographed at its new location.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., June 21, 2014
5. Mortality Sculpture
Credits. This page was last revised on August 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 5, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,462 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 6, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 2. submitted on August 9, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 3. submitted on July 6, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 4. submitted on August 9, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 5. submitted on July 6, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
