The Crash Of The ShenandoahThe Crash Of The Shenandoah
In 1923 a rigid airship, made with new material produced by Alcoa Aluminum in Pittsburgh, became the U. S. Navy’s flagship aircraft. Two years later this airship came down in
Category: Disasters
Work Begins On Hawk’s Nest Tunnel – March 30, 1930Work Begins On Hawk’s Nest Tunnel – March 30, 1930
On this day in 1930 work began on the Hawk’s Nest Tunnel through Gauley Mountain in West Virginia. The tunnel was to divert water from the New River to a
Fire Destroys West Virginia Capitol Second Time – March 2, 1927Fire Destroys West Virginia Capitol Second Time – March 2, 1927
In 1870 the first official West Virginia state capitol building was built, a very ornate Italianate structure in Charleston. That building was added onto in 1887 with an addition. This
The Crash At Clingman’s DomeThe Crash At Clingman’s Dome
In the summer of 1946 a training mission for a B-29 Superfortress ended in tragedy. Today we tell the story of that B-29, which crashed into the third-highest mountaintop in
The Fraterville Mine DisasterThe Fraterville Mine Disaster
In May of 1902 one of the best-run mine companies in the Coal Creek, Tennessee, area suffered a disaster when an explosion trapped and killed 216 miners, all but 3
The Lost ChildrenThe Lost Children
In the spring of 1856 the two little boys of Samuel and Susanna Cox disappeared, seemingly without a trace. Today we tell the story of how the tragedy of that
Wildfire – November 18, 1939.Wildfire – November 18, 1939.
On this day in 1939 forest fires raged across western North Carolina, southwest Virginia, northeast Tennessee and eastern Kentucky. Wind Rock, Tennessee, about 4 and a half miles from Oliver
The Train Crash At New Market – September 24, 1904The Train Crash At New Market – September 24, 1904
On this day in 1904 two passenger trains collided head-on at New Market, Tennessee, killing over 60 people and injuring scores more. One train, the Number 12 Carolina Special, had
The Knox Mine DisasterThe Knox Mine Disaster
In 1959 a mining operation ignored mine regulations leading not only to a mine roof collapse but flooding so bad that several miners were killed and the entire economy in
Flash Flood In Charleston, West Virginia – July, 1961Flash Flood In Charleston, West Virginia – July, 1961
Sixty years ago this week Charleston, West Virginia, was going through the wettest July on record. On July 19th, around sunset, yet another storm came over the city and let