Remarkable Ohio

Counties

Below is a complete listing of all Ohio Historical Markers. To find a detailed marker listing including text, photographs, and locations, click on a county below. Our listing is updated by the markers program as new markers are installed and older markers are reported damaged or missing.

13-67 Atwater Coal Company Mine Disaster

Side A: On July 3, 1872, 16 men and a 9-year old boy descended the 170 foot shaft in the Atwater Coal Company Mine located in Atwater Township south of Route 224 and East of Route 225. The mine was situated on the property known as the S.G. Shaffer Farm. By mid-day, 7 miners survived the brutal fire in the mine. Richard Roberts, Robert Roberts, William Roberts, Thomas Maines, Joseph Otey, John Williams, John Howells, John Jones and 9-year old George Hufford gave their lives to the first Mining Disaster in Ohio and the 19th mining disaster in the United States since 1839 with more than 5 fatalities. In 1873, Ohio was the second State to pass a law for the safety of Miners.
Side B: Same
Sponsors: Atwater Historical Society, Residents of Atwater, and The Ohio Historical Society
Address: Atwater Cemetery, OH 183, S of US 224, 
Atwater, 
OH, 
44201
Location: NW corner of cemetery entrance road opposite 1130 OH 183
Latitude: 41.0193350
Longitude: -81.1481590