Indian Territory mines were considered the most dangerous in the country at the turn of the 19th century. Most of the land was owned by Native Americans, which made it exempt from the federal government’s laws and regulations. Mine owners were more concerned with profits than safety, and as a result, one of the worst mining explosions in history occurred in 1892 in Krebs. Here’s a look back at this horrifying accident that still haunts Oklahomans to this day.
Before the town of Krebs was known as Oklahoma’s Little Italy, it was home to the Osage Coal and Mining Company’s Mine Number 11. Coal mining was already a dangerous job, but miners in Oklahoma had added risks due to the lack of safety precautions.
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The perilous conditions in Indian Territory proved true when a mine exploded on January 7, 1892, in Krebs.
This Day In History/Youtube
On the night of January 7, an inexperienced worker accidentally set off a stockpile of explosives.
This Day In History/Youtube
The blast killed approximately 100 men and boys and injured almost 200 more.
This Day In History/Youtube
Every household in Krebs was affected by this horrific tragedy. The disaster was the third worst in America at that time.
krebsmuseum.com
In 2002, over a century after the explosion, a memorial was built at the site of the old mine in remembrance of those who lost their lives.
Richard Masoner / Cyclelici/Flickr
Richard Masoner / Cyclelici/Flickr
This Day In History/Youtube
krebsmuseum.com
The memorial is located 2 1/2 blocks north of the Krebs School.
Oklahoma has quite a history. Here’s a list of many more shocking events in Oklahoma’s past.
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