Wilkes-Barre in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Baltimore Mine Tunnel Disaster

Photographed By Don Morfe, October 14, 2015

1. Baltimore Mine Tunnel Disaster Marker

Inscription. Near here, on June 5, 1919, an explosion and fire in the Baltimore Mine Tunnel killed 92 and injured 60 when a fallen trolley wire contacted a cart carrying miners and kegs of blasting powder. One of the deadliest industrial disasters in Pa. history, it attracted international media and organized labor attention. A resulting US Bureau of Mines investigation led to the prohibition of transporting miners and explosives in the same rail car.

Erected 2014 by Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Environment • Industry & Commerce • Labor Unions. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 5, 1919.

Location. 41° 14.724′ N, 75° 51.636′ W. Marker is in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, in Luzerne County. Marker is on Spring Street. The marker is near the Home Depot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 41 Spring Street, Wilkes Barre PA 18702, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Rev. John J. Curran (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Rev. Joseph Murgas (approx. 0.8 miles away); World War Memorial (approx. 0.9 miles away);

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Connecticut Settlement (approx. 0.9 miles away); Early Settlers and War Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.9 miles away); Theodore T. and Walter C. Zuba (approx. 0.9 miles away); Civil War Memorial (approx. one mile away); St. André Bessette, C.S.C. (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilkes-Barre.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 7, 2020

2. Baltimore Mine Tunnel Disaster Marker

Looking ENE along Spring Street

Credits. This page was last revised on September 9, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 14, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 665 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 14, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 2. submitted on September 9, 2020, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.