Coal Miners Memorial
Anthracite Region
In Memoriam
Nature bestowed Pennsylvania with deposits of Anthracite coal which contains the highest percentage of fixed carbon. The coal fields approximately 600 square miles from Susquehanna and Wayne Counties North of Scranton, Pennsylvania Southwesterly to nearly Harrisburg.
In the year of 1918 the output of coal reached 88,647,250 gross tons. Hard coal was known to exist in the Wilkes-Barre area as far back as 1768. Young boys ranging from 15 years old worked in the mines and breaker boys ranged from 8 to 14 years old. They entered the mines early in the morning and came out when it was dark, working approximately 10 to 12 hours in darkness. Desire, ability and just plain "guts" got them the job. Many miners, laborers and other personnel were always subject to danger.
Coal mining in the last century was entirely different than today. Energy and power were supplied by man and beast. Hours were long and the biggest portion of a miner's life was spent in darkness, working with problems like dust, water holes, ventilation, illumination and explosives.
The Pennsylvania Anthracite region has probably experienced more strikes and work stoppages than any other similar area in the country. In April to September of 1922 there was a work stoppage of 172 days. In 1925 from September
to February was the longest coal strike lasting 176 days. While on strike or work stoppage, the men did not receive any financial help.One of the worst mine disasters in the history of Anthracite mining occurred at the Avondale mine at Plymouth on September 6, 1889, when 110 men lost their lives.
To all fathers, brothers, uncles, nephews and friends who lost their lives in the coal mines, and to those who labored and suffered, we dedicate this memorial monument to these miners.
——————————————————
Avondale Disaster · Shaft Fire · Plymouth
September 6, 1869 · 110 men died
Baltimore Tunnel, Wilkes-Barre Twp.
Powder Explosion, June 5, 1919 · 94 men killed
Twin Shaft Disaster · Mine Squeeze
Pittston · June 28, 1896 · 58 men killed
Maffet's Patch Slope No. 4
May 17, 1890 · 28 men entombed
Jersey No. 8, Ashley · Mine Cave
May 15, 1890 · 28 men killed
Nanticoke No. 1 Slope · Dec. 18, 1885
26 men entombed by quick sand
Lattimer Massacre, Hazelton · Sept. 10, 1897
Striking mine workers · 19 men killed
Eagle Shaft, Pittston · Aug. 14, 1871
Explosion Fire Damp · 17 men killed
Nottingham Colliery, Plymouth, Jan. 1947
Gas Explosion · 15 men killed
Jeanesville Disaster, Feb. 24, 1891
No.
Delaware & Hudson Coal Co., Jan. 15, 1846
Great Cave In · 14 men entombed
Loomis Colliery, Hanover Twp.
Gas Explosion · 1924 · 14 men killed
Prospect Shaft · Gas Explosion
Feb. 17, 1912 · 13 men killed
Gaylord Shaft, Plymouth · Feb. 13, 1894
Cave In Workings · 13 men killed
No. 1 Shaft, Nanticoke · Nov. 8, 1891
Gas Explosion · 13 men killed
Knox Disaster, Port Griffith
Mine Cave In · 12 men killed · Jan. 22, 1959
——————————————————
Mt. Lookout Shaft · Gas Explosion
12 men killed · May 12, 1908
West End No. 1 Drift · Mocanaqua · Aug. 11, 1885
Suffocated by White Damp · 10 men died
Auchincloss Shaft · 10 men killed · Nov. 12, 1904
Carriage Dropped · Engineer Lost Control
Conyngham Shaft · Wilkes-Barre · April 26, 1905
10 men killed · Rope on Carriage Broke
Butler Colliery · June 2, 1938
10 men killed · Gas Explosion
Port Griffith · No. 2 Slope · 1860
9 men killed · Rope on Plane Broke
Dorrance Shaft · Wilkes-Barre · Oct. 7, 1895
Gas Explosion · 9 men killed
Exeter Shaft · West Pittston · Nov. 5, 1898
9 men killed descending in cage by three
loaded mine cars running through opening
Prospect Shaft
· Feb. 27, 1915Gas Explosion · 9 men killed
Auchincloss Shaft · Nov. 9, 1909
Gas Explosion · 9 men killed
Susquehanna No. 7 · Oct. 30, 1926
Gas Explosion · 9 men killed
Nottingham Shaft · Plymouth · April 1, 1890
Gas Explosion · 8 men killed
South Wilkes-Barre Shaft · Mar. 3, 1890
Mine Fire · 8 men killed
Dorrance Colliery · 1892
Gas Explosion · 8 men killed
No. 14 Shaft · Port Blanchard · May 2, 1909
Gas Explosion · 8 men killed
Wanamie No. 19 Shaft · Feb. 8, 1907
Suffocated by Fire · 7 men died
Nottingham Shaft · Plymouth · Jan. 11, 1910
Gas Explosion · 7 men killed
Parrish Colliery · Plymouth · Jan. 9, 1912
Gas Explosion · 7 men killed
Lance No. 11 · Plymouth · Feb. 8, 1916
Gas Explosion · 7 men killed
Kirby Park · Edwardsville · May 16, 1927
Gas Explosion No. 3 No. 4 Shafts · 7 men killed
——————————————————
Clear Spring Shaft, W. Pittston - Rope Broke
7 men killed - March 9, 1905
South Wilkes-Barre No. 5 - Gas Explosion
7 men killed - March 12, 1910
Peach Orchard, Parsons - Gas Explosion
7 men killed - July 3, 1926
South Wilkes-Barre No. 5 - Boulder Dislodged
Falling on Cage - 7 men killed - May 7, 1935
Nanticoke No. 2
Shaft - Gas Explosion6 men killed - March 5, 1860
Eagle Shaft, Pittston - Explosion of Fire Damp
6 men killed - 1866
Nanticoke Shaft - Platform Broke Hurling Men
450 Feet - 6 men killed - June 26, 1875
Plymouth No. 2 Shaft - Gas Explosion
6 men killed - August 21, 1885
Lance No. 11, Plymouth - Gas Explosion
6 men killed - September 21, 1893
South Wilkes-Barre No. 5 - Gas Explosion
6 men killed - October 29, 1896
Buttonwood Shaft - Gas Explosion
6 men killed - October 25, 1901
Nanticoke No. 1 Shaft - Gas Explosion
6 men killed - August 6, 1906
Warrior Run Slope - Runaway Car
6 men killed - August 10, 1908
Hollenback, Wilkes-Barre - Gas Explosion
6 men killed - March 9, 1916
Woodward Shaft No. 6 - Gas Explosion
6 men killed - August 8, 1916
Woodward, Edwardsville - Gas Explosion
6 men killed - April 18, 1925
Mill Creek Slope, Delaware & Hudson
Gas Explosion - 5 men killed - November 1, 1879
Nanticoke No. 4 Slope - Gas Explosion
5 men killed - April 12, 1890
Nanticoke No. 1 Shaft - Gas Explosion
5 men killed - June 22, 1893
Midvale Slope, Plains - Suffocated by Smoke
from Air Bridge Fire - 5 men killed - October 1, 1898
Prospect Shaft, Plains - Fall of Rock
5 men killed - May 13, 1908
Boston Shaft, Larksville - Gas Explosion
5
Woodward Cave Mine Fire and Gas Explosion
5 men killed - May 1927
Clear Spring, W. Pittston - Gas Explosion
5 men killed - August 25, 1936
——————————————————
Henry Shaft, Plains - Explosion of Fire Damp
4 men killed - February 26, 1872
Exeter Shaft, W. Pittston - Gas Explosion
4 men killed - February 12, 1876
Prospect Shaft, Plains - Gas Explosion
4 men killed - October 8, 1878
Stanton Shaft, Wilkes-Barre - Gas Explosion
4 men killed - May 6, 1879
Woodward Shaft - Platform Broke While
Timbering - 4 men killed - September 2, 1883
Oakwood Shaft - Rock Fall on Descending Car
4 men killed - September 2, 1885
Nottingham Shaft, Plymouth - Fall of Coal
4 men killed - June 10, 1889
Hollenback Shaft, Wilkes-Barre - Gas Explosion
4 men killed - September 20, 1890
West End Drift, Mocanaqua - Gas Explosion
4 men killed - May 31, 1892
Edwardsville No. 4 Shaft - Gas Explosion
4 men killed - July 24, 1893
Edwardsville No 1 Shaft - Gas Explosion
4 men killed - October 30, 1900
South Wilkes-Barre No. 5 Shaft - Dynamite
Dropped - 4 men killed - December 9, 1902
Dorrance Shaft - Wilkes-Barre - Carriage Hoisted
Against Wheel - 4
Buttonwood Shaft, Dynamite Explosion
4 men killed - February 17, 1906
Buttonwood Shaft, Gas Explosion
4 men killed - December 6, 1906
Port Blanchard No. 14 Shaft - Gas Explosion
4 men killed - August 22, 1907
South Wilkes-Barre No. 5 - Gas Explosion
4 men killed - September 21, 1907
South Wilkes-Barre No. 5 - Gas Explosion
4 men killed - July 17, 1912
Woodward, Edwardsville - Gas Explosion
4 men killed - April 1914
Kingston Coal Company - Gas Explosion
4 men killed - October 10, 1930
West End, Mocanaqua - Gas Explosion
4 men killed - October 25, 1931
Inman Shaft, Buttonwood Colliery, Gas Explosion
4 men killed - March 29, 1951
Many other disasters are recorded at Wyoming Historical & Genealogical Society, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
[Memorial dedicated] October 25, 1987
Erected 1987 by Coal Miners Memorial Monument Committee and Concerned Citizens and Organizations.
Topics. This historical marker and memorial is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Disasters • Industry & Commerce • Labor Unions. A significant historical date for this entry is May 17, 1890.
Location. 41° 14.476′ N, 75° 56.562′ W. Marker is in Plymouth, Pennsylvania, in Luzerne County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street (U.S. 11) and Carolina Street, on the right when traveling east on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 114 East Main Street, Plymouth PA 18651, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Arthur Horace James (1883-1973) (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Agnes Flood Line (approx. 0.2 miles away); War Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Gulf War Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Sergeant Sherwood Baker (approx. 0.3 miles away); Vietnam War Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); 28th Infantry Division Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); World War I Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Plymouth.
Also see . . .
1. History of Anthracite Coal Mining. (Submitted on July 9, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. History of the Pennsylvania Anthracite Region. (Submitted on July 9, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. Coal Miner Records at Pennsylvania Historical and Museums Commission Archives. (Submitted on July 9, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
4. Anthracite Coal Region of Northeastern Pennsylvania. (Submitted on July 9, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 21, 2019. It was originally submitted on July 8, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,666 times since then and 110 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. submitted on July 9, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.