Beckley in Raleigh County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Eccles Mine Explosions

Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 15, 2019

1. Eccles Mine Explosions Marker

Inscription. Five miles west at Eccles, on April 28, 1914, a gas explosion in No. 5 Mine in the Beckley seam killed 174 miners; another nine died in No. 6 Mine above from blackdamp. On March 8, 1926, 19 died in No. 5. In 1891, Royal Mine on New River was first to open in Raleigh County. From 1891 to 1991, county mines produced in excess of 791M tons of coal, while accidents claimed the lives of 2,121 miners.

Erected 1994 by Raleigh County Historical Society, West Virginia, Archives and History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the West Virginia Archives and History series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1864.

Location. 37° 46.645′ N, 81° 11.388′ W. Marker is in Beckley, West Virginia, in Raleigh County. Marker is on Main Street, on the left when traveling east. The marker is located on the lawn of the Raleigh County Courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 215 Main Street, Beckley WV 25801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Beckley (here, next to this marker); Raleigh County World War II Memorial (here, next to this marker); Raleigh County (here, next to this marker); Upper Big Branch Mine Explosion

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(a few steps from this marker); Citizens Hall Of Fame (a few steps from this marker); The Attar Center (within shouting distance of this marker); Flame Of Freedom (within shouting distance of this marker); Dedicated (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Beckley.

More about this marker. This marker was originally erected on the left side of the courthouse lawn. It is now on the right, with other markers at the war memorial.

Also see . . .
1. Blackdamp - Wikipedia. (Submitted on October 11, 2012, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)
2. Eccles Mine Explosion - U.S. Mine Rescue Association. (Submitted on October 11, 2012, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)

Four Markers and a War Memorial image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 15, 2019

2. Four Markers and a War Memorial

New marker location. This marker one of the markers on the left of the war memorial, the one closest to the memorial.

Raleigh County Courthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Byron Hooks, September 28, 2012

3. Raleigh County Courthouse

Eccles Mine Explosions Marker at its Previous Location image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Byron Hooks, September 28, 2012

4. Eccles Mine Explosions Marker at its Previous Location

Marker at its Previous Location image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Byron Hooks, September 28, 2012

5. Marker at its Previous Location

Credits. This page was last revised on August 28, 2019. It was originally submitted on October 10, 2012, by Byron Hooks of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 656 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 22, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 10, 2012, by Byron Hooks of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.