These former residents of the Coal Region faced death as a wall of water smashed the city of Johnstown to splinters on the afternoon of May 31, 1889.
“Night of Horrors” – Schuylkill County natives who survived the Johnstown Flood in May 1889
The Williamstown Colliery Disaster of 1904
10 miners were killed when toxic gas from a locomotive filled Williamstown Tunnel on May 25, 1904
“In the mines of Avondale” – A Coal Region ballad
"The Avondale Mine Disaster" is a miner's ballad originally recorded by folklorist George Korson in 1946.
Avondale – The Coal Region’s deadliest mining disaster
The Avondale Mine Disaster of September 6, 1869 killed 108 miners and 2 volunteer rescuers.
“This community sustains a great loss” – A fatal mine disaster in Wiconisco Township during the Civil War
On February 7, 1862, a roof collapsed inside the Short Mountain Colliery killing a respected miner and wounding several others.
“A vivid flash of light” – An 1867 lightning strike electrocuted Wiconisco miners 1,000 feet below ground
In June 1867, a thunderstorm passed through Wiconisco, Pennsylvania and electrocuted miners deep within one of the town's coal mines.
Forgotten railroad wreck left six dead along the Susquehanna River in June 1863
On June 19, 1863, a crowded passenger train jumped the tracks in northern Dauphin County, injuring dozens and killing 6.
“A Shocking Mining Accident” in Williamstown, Pennsylvania – April 1872
"The excitement is great," reported the Lykens Register in April 1872. Williamstown Colliery had just experienced its deadliest accident to date.
