Home > United States of America > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > Florida > Hoosac Tunnel Central Shaft

Hoosac Tunnel Central Shaft

Memorials	:	0
Location	:	Florida, Berkshire County, USA
Coordinate	:	42.6759380, -73.0463580
Description	:	This place was dedicated in October 2013 to memorialize 13 miners who perished on the 19th of October 1867 as they worked underground at the base of the Central Shaft of the Hoosac Tunnel. Published in multiple newspaper accounts across the country, this incident is described as the deadliest day in the 27-year construction of the 4.75-mile long train tunnel. One reporter, in the Springfield [Mass.] Republican wrote, "The community of this place has been horrified by one of the most terrible disasters that has ever occurred in Massachusetts, and, with few exceptions, in this country - a disaster by... Read More	This place was dedicated in October 2013 to memorialize 13 miners who perished on the 19th of October 1867 as they worked underground at the base of the Central Shaft of the Hoosac Tunnel. Published in multiple newspaper accounts across the country, this incident is described as the deadliest day in the 27-year construction of the 4.75-mile long train tunnel. One reporter, in the Springfield [Mass.] Republican wrote, "The community of this place has been horrified by one of the most terrible disasters that has ever occurred in Massachusetts, and, with few exceptions, in this country - a disaster by which thirteen able-bodied men, full of health and vigor, were ushered without note or warning into eternity..." The Central Shaft was the midway location of the Hoosac Tunnel located about six miles east of North Adams on Florida Mountain. The shaft was more than 580 feet deep. A wooden platform and a 10ft x 60ft building stood over the mouth of the shaft. At about 1 p.m. on that fateful day an explosion on the surface ignited a fierce fire that spread rapidly and consumed the building and platform in less than 30 minutes. Burning timbers along with a half ton of drills, tools, and other machinery and a rock-filled mining car, fell down the shaft onto the 13 men. The men who perished were: Patrick Conolley, James Burnett, James Fitzgerald, Thomas Mulcare, Edwin Haskins, brothers Thomas and Peter Collins, Michael Whalen, James Cavanaugh, John Curron, Thomas Cook, James McCormick and Joseph Messier. A year would pass before all 13 bodies were recovered. This memorial was funded by the town of Florida from their cemetery account. P.Demers of the Berkshire Eagle newspaper wrote an on-line article about the 19 Oct 2013 dedication, taking place 146 years after the fatal fire. The dedication included attendees from the historical societies of Rowe, Florida and North Adams, along with rail enthusiasts, a folk band, town officials, spectators and the pastor of the Florida Baptist Church.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Hoosac Tunnel Central Shaft?
Hoosac Tunnel Central Shaft is located at Central Shaft Road Florida, Berkshire County ,Massachusetts ,USA.
Hoosac Tunnel Central Shaft cemetery's updated grave count on graveviews.com?
0 memorials
Where are the coordinates of the Hoosac Tunnel Central Shaft?
Latitude: 42.6759380
Longitude: -73.0463580

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Nearby Cemetories:

1. Bradley Cemetery
Florida, Berkshire County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6801280, -73.0530820

2. Burnett Cemetery
Florida, Berkshire County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6643870, -73.0359290

3. Kemp Cemetery
Florida, Berkshire County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6897230, -73.0327050

4. Abbott Cemetery
Florida, Berkshire County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6936240, -73.0380130

5. School Cemetery
Florida, Berkshire County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6928140, -73.0351250

6. Burnett Homestead Cemetery
Florida, Berkshire County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6555820, -73.0388740

7. Rice Cemetery
Florida, Berkshire County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6759950, -73.0096650

8. Florida Baptist Church Cemetery
Florida, Berkshire County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6659800, -73.0120000

9. Hewittville Cemetery
North Adams, Berkshire County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6971000, -73.0751300

10. Whitcomb Cemetery
Florida, Berkshire County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6863530, -72.9995500

11. Saint Josephs Cemetery
North Adams, Berkshire County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6744003, -73.0958023

12. Estes Burial Ground
North Adams, Berkshire County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7066060, -73.0748320

13. Nathan Drury Cemetery
Florida, Berkshire County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6528000, -73.0058300

14. Southview Cemetery
North Adams, Berkshire County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6721992, -73.1018982

15. Hall Cemetery
North Adams, Berkshire County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7072600, -73.0826000

16. Beth Israel Cemetery of Clarksburg
Clarksburg, Berkshire County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7111930, -73.0820470

17. Old East Hoosuck First Congregational Burial Groun
North Adams, Berkshire County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6643870, -73.1052590

18. New State Cemetery
Savoy, Berkshire County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6333008, -73.0252991

19. King Burial Ground
Florida, Berkshire County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6650500, -72.9840870

20. Tower Cemetery
Florida, Berkshire County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6404500, -72.9944200

21. Estes Burial Ground
Savoy, Berkshire County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6250330, -73.0190500

22. Dunham Burying Ground
Savoy, Berkshire County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6216280, -73.0270030

23. Carter Burying Ground
Savoy, Berkshire County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6191300, -73.0428600

24. Martin Tower Cemetery
Florida, Berkshire County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7314750, -73.0270780

Hoosac Tunnel Central Shaft

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