Near Ovenfork in Letcher County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Scotia Mine Disaster
Photographed by Duane Hall, August 3, 2016
1. Scotia Mine Disaster Marker
Scotia Mine Disaster
One of the worst mine disasters in U.S. history. Faulty equipment ignited methane & coal dust due to lack of proper ventilation. On Mar. 9 & 11, 1976, twin explosions took the lives of 26 coal miners and federal mine inspectors in the Scotia mines located nearby. This led to the passage of the Federal Mine Safety & Health Act of 1977.
In Honor of Those Who Lost Their Lives:
R.M. Sammons, K. Kiser, G. Tussey, D. Gibbs, J. Williams, T.R. Scott, E.S. Combs, R. McKnight, D. Widner, E. Galloway, K. Turner, W. Turner, L.D. McKnight, G. Barker, D. Boggs, J. Hackworth, V. Coots, J. Sturgill, C. Polly, R. Griffith, M. Sturgill, D. Creech, L. Peavy, J.W. Sturgill, I.G. Sparkman, and J.B. Holbrook.
Respiratory Clinics of Eastern Kentucky, MCHC
Erected 2010 by Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 2314.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 9, 1976.
Location. 37° 2.881′ N, 82° 49.76′ W. Marker is near Ovenfork, Kentucky, in
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Kentucky and in the Cumberland Plateau. 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 and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Kingdom Come (approx. 2.2 miles away); Harry Monroe Caudill (approx. 2.2 miles away); John Fox, Jr. (approx. 2.2 miles away); Harriette Simpson Arnow (approx. 2.2 miles away); James Still (approx. 2.2 miles away); Scuttle Hole Gap Road (approx. 2.3 miles away); Letcher County Honor Roll (approx. 4.9 miles away); Pilot -- Spy -- Hero / Francis Gary Powers (approx. 4.9 miles away).
Photographed by Duane Hall, August 3, 2016
2. Scotia Mine Disaster Marker
Photographed by Duane Hall, August 3, 2016
3. Scotia Mine Disaster Marker
Photographed by Duane Hall, August 3, 2016
4. View to Southwest Along US 119
Credits. This page was last revised on April 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 23, 2016, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 975 times since then and 85 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 23, 2016, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.
