State Historical Society of Iowa

Aftermath of Explosion in Buxton’s #12 Mine, Date Unknown

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This photograph shows damage done to Mine #12 at Buxton, Iowa, after an explosion that fatally crippled the coal mine.
Courtesy of State Historical Society of Iowa, Date Unknown

Description

In 1914, an explosion at mine #12 in Buxton led to the shutdown of that mine. Coal dust is highly flammable, and explosions were not uncommon. There is no record of anyone being hurt in the explosion since it happened after the mine closed for the day. The Consolidation Coal Company decided that the damage from the explosion would cost more to repair than the profit from the remaining coal in that mine. They decided to abandon that mine and open new mines in other locations which eventually led to the attempted relocation of Buxton citizens to nearby Haydock. In this photograph, the shell of the structure is still standing, but much of the interior was destroyed by either the fire or the impact of the blast.

Source-Dependent Question

  • What evidence can you find in the picture that there has been an explosion?