Barney Circle in Southeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

U.S. Arsenal Explosion Memorial

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, February 7, 2015

1. U.S. Arsenal Explosion Memorial

Inscription.
Dedicated to the Memory of the Victims of the U.S. Arsenal Explosion on June 17, 1864

Ellen Roche • Julia McEwen • Bridget Dunn • W. E. Tippett • Margaret Horan • Johanna Connors • Susan Harris

Lizzie Brahler • Margaret Yonson • Bettie Branagan • Eliza Lacey • Emma Baird • Kate Brosnahan • Louisa Lloyd

Mellisa Adams • Emily Collins • Mary Burroughs • Annie Bache • Rebecca Hull • Allie McElfresh • Pinkey Scott

Erected 2014 by The Sons of Union Veterans & The Ancient Order of Hibernians.

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Disasters • War, US Civil • Women. A significant historical date for this entry is June 17, 1864.

Location. 38° 52.889′ N, 76° 58.832′ W. Marker is in Southeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Barney Circle. Memorial can be reached from the intersection of 17th Street Southeast and G Street Southeast, on the right when traveling north. The marker is located in Congressional Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1801 E Street Southeast, Washington DC 20003, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named U.S. Arsenal Explosion Memorial (here, next to this marker); Barney at Bladensburg

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(within shouting distance of this marker); September 11 Memorial Path (within shouting distance of this marker); John Philip Sousa (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Anna Murray-Douglass (about 300 feet away); Mathew Brady (about 300 feet away); The Mathew Brady Memorial (about 300 feet away); September 11 Healing Poles (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Southeast Washington.

Regarding U.S. Arsenal Explosion Memorial. “Washington Arsenal Explosion. An accidental explosion and fire at a munitions manufacturing plant. Because of a labor shortage during the Civil War. women and girls were recruited to work in the manufacturing of munitions. During the summer of 1864, a group of these workers were assembling rifle cartridges at the Washington Arsenal when fireworks, stored outside in the hot sun, ignited. A piece of burning fuse was propelled through an open window and landed among the workers in loose powder, causing a giant explosion, fire, and secondary explosions. Twenty one of the workers died. A memorial honoring

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, February 7, 2015

2. U.S. Arsenal Explosion Memorial

those killed in the explosion was placed in the Congressional Cemetery.” — Historical Dictionary of Washington, Bendetto, Donovon and Du Vall, 2003.

Also see . . .
1. “An almost inexcusable catastrophe” – Explosion at the Washington Arsenal. Library of Congress Blog entry (Submitted on February 22, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. The Immigrant Girls of the Arsenal Memorial. Ancient Order of Hibernians (Submitted on February 22, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.)

U.S. Arsenal Explosion Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, February 14, 2015

3. U.S. Arsenal Explosion Monument

Credits. This page was last revised on February 22, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 22, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 728 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 22, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.