While digging Hawks Nest Tunnel in early 1930's, hundreds of the mostly black, migrant workforce contracted acute silicosis from silica dust and later died. Many were buried in secret, unmarked graves to the north. In 1971, the bodies were reburied . . . — — Map (db m78389) HM
This Memorial honors an estimated 764 tunnel workers who died from mining a 3.8 mile tunnel through Gauley Mountain to divert water from the New River to a hydroelectric plant near Gauley Bridge in 1930-31. The tunnel cut through almost pure silica . . . — — Map (db m78390) HM
