Hawks Nest Tunnel Disaster Workers Grave Site
N 38° 13.938 W 080° 51.054
17S E 513049 N 4231600
Tells about what happened to the migrant workforce used to dig the tunnel.
Waymark Code: WMF31M
Location: West Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 08/14/2012
Views: 19
Hawks Nest Tunnel Disaster Workers Grave Site
While digging Hawks Nest Tunnel in early 1930s, 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 nearby. The tragic event is one of the worst disasters in American history.
Marker Number: none
Marker Title: Hawks Nest Tunnel Disaster Workers Grave Site
Marker Location: East of Route 19
County or Independent City: Summersville
Web Site: [Web Link]
Marker Program Sponsor: West Virginia Archives and History, 2011
|