Franklin in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)

Belle Isle Salt Mine Memorial

Belle Isle Salt Mine Disaster Marker Side A image. Click for full size.

November 22, 2009

1. Belle Isle Salt Mine Disaster Marker Side A

Inscription. On March 5, 1968 fire broke out in the Belle Isle Salt Mine in St. Mary Parish. Twenty-one men were trapped 1200 feet underground with their only escape engulfed in flames. Coal miners from Kentucky flew in to help with the attempted rescue. It was not to be.

This memorial is dedicated to these twenty-one men who lost their lives, to the rescue men who risked their lives, to the other miners who died at Belle Isle and to all the families who suffered loss.

Gone....but not forgotten.
In Their Memory ---- March 14, 1998

1968
Clifford James Benoit
Michael Joseph Boudreaux
Luke Milton Boutte
Roy P. Byron
John Henry Christensen, Jr.
Louis Roy Frilot
Paul J. C. Granger
Wilbur Garfield Jenkins.
Minos J. Langlinais, Jr.
Alcide Olivier, Jr.
Arthur J. Olivier, Jr.
Dallas Anatole Olivier
Percy Joseph Peltier
Hilton Joseph Primeaux
Dennis T. Romero
Leroy Sanchez
Burnice Homer Smith
Harris Joseph Touchet
Harry Joseph Touchet
Leroy Trahan
Chester Joseph Vice

1979
Paul Richard Collins
Donald Mayon, Sr.
Amedee Charles Olivier
Adam Sampay
Herman Zimmerman

Various Years
Joseph M. Culter - 1969
Earl Dennis Schannette - 1969
Wilson

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Jones - 1974
Rigsby Babineaux - 1975
David Marks, Jr - 1981

Topics. This historical marker and memorial is listed in this topic list: Disasters. A significant historical date for this entry is March 5, 1968.

Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 29° 48.478′ N, 91° 32.239′ W. Marker was in Franklin, Louisiana, in St. Mary Parish. Marker was on U.S. 90 Frontage Road, one mile north of Northwest Boulevard (State Route 3211), on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Franklin LA 70538, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies. Jefferson Davis Louisiana Association (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Mary's Episcopal Church (approx. 2.3 miles away); German Prisoner of War Camp (approx. 2.3 miles away); Donelson Caffery (approx. 2½ miles away); Charles Austin O'Niell (approx. 2½ miles away); Franklin (approx. 2½ miles away); Jared Young Sanders (approx. 2½ miles away); The Gunboat Diana (approx. 2½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Franklin.

Additional commentary.
1. Statue and Memorial Removed
It is my understanding that the statue and granite memorial marker have been removed. The visitors center

Belle Isle Salt Mine Disaster Marker Side B image. Click for full size.

November 22, 2009

2. Belle Isle Salt Mine Disaster Marker Side B

there has been closed and the property sold, as a new visitors center opened on the east side of Morgan City in about 2016. I will try to take new photos of the memorial location.

— Submitted May 8, 2022, by Janet Schexnayder of Slidell, Louisiana.

Belle Isle Salt Mine Disaster Statue image. Click for full size.

November 22, 2009

3. Belle Isle Salt Mine Disaster Statue

November 22, 2009

4. Belle Isle Salt Mine Disaster Statue

Credits. This page was last revised on May 9, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 1, 2015. This page has been viewed 829 times since then and 76 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 1, 2015. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.