Five miles west at Eccles, on April 28, 1914, a gas explosion in No. 5 Mine in the Beckley seam killed 174 miners; another nine died in No. 6 Mine above from blackdamp. On March 8, 1926, 19 died in No. 5. In 1891, Royal Mine on New River was first to open in Raleigh County. From 1891 to 1991, county mines produced in excess of 791M tons of coal, while accidents claimed the lives of 2,121 miners.

Marker is on Main Street, on the left when traveling east.

Courtesy hmdb.org

Credits and Sources: