O/T "The Day the Angles Cried"

[AJ01]

I know this is for hunting stories and pictures and all things related. But I had to post this.
As some of you know, I grew up in a sleepy little town in East Texas. Moved off, went to college and worked for many years in a large city. Then I moved back to a town that I said I'd Never move back to again.
The "Boss" and I graduated from this tiny place back in the early 70's. At that time, the population sign read 889 souls. As of today, it's now a thriving metropolis of 1,189.
Not a whole lot has changed in 50 years.

But on March 18th, 1937 @ 3:17pm., it did. The face of New London would never be the same.

I hope you take a moment to watch the video and to read the article. Information on this event is all over Google. It's just no one looks for it.

Below are the links.

After reading and watching do me and you a favor. Tell your kids and grandkids how much you love them.

AJ

https://www.forgottenhistory.me/disaster/jb29e9p6fjfxaydfrcs854kgzomgwi

https://youtu.be/Ie-C3K0zHQo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLHguIySVhY&t=0s

https://youtu.be/WOn6p-B9v2o

https://youtu.be/RbGY7WGA0BI

Hope these are the correct links.

[xcaliber]

What a tragedy. I have never heard this story, but will share it to my family & friends.

[AJ01]

What a tragedy. I have never heard this story, but will share it to my family & friends.

Thanks Dan!

[gerald strine]

Wow quite a disaster , just horrible .
I am sure that is something a town never gets over.

[grouse]

What a catastrophe! I always have a book that I'm reading and I have only read non-fiction for years. I have never come across this horrible event. It does appear that the world learned something from this and made some changes that probably prevented other disasters.

[AJ01]

What a catastrophe! I always have a book that I'm reading and I have only read non-fiction for years. I have never come across this horrible event. It does appear that the world learned something from this and made some changes that probably prevented other disasters.

Grouse there is a pretty well written book about this called "Gone at 3:17".
I knew Bill Thompson, and he NEVER got over it!

[grouse]

What a catastrophe! I always have a book that I'm reading and I have only read non-fiction for years. I have never come across this horrible event. It does appear that the world learned something from this and made some changes that probably prevented other disasters.

Grouse there is a pretty well written book about this called "Gone at 3:17".
I knew Bill Thompson, and he NEVER got over it!

Thank you AJ

I just finished reading Chernow's Washington biography (800+ pages of actual content with small print) and started "Facing the Mountain" which is about Japanese American soldiers and internees in WWII. "Gone at 3:17" is now on my list and I'll get to it before long. It sounds like my kind of book.

[Doe Master]

Wow just read the article .

[AJ01]

Yes sir, it was a horrific tragedy. To think that over 300 students and teachers could die in a school explosion in our country. All because someone wanted to save a few dollars at one of the richest school districts anywhere. The 1st school district in Texas to have a lighted football field. 20 plus oilwells on the school grounds. More money then they knew what to do with!
What a terrible, terrible, terrible loss of life. The worst school disaster in the World! EVER!
The good in all of this, it's the reason you can now smell natural gas.

People in our town never talked about the explosion. Too many hurtful memories, I guess. It wiped out a generation of people. It took 50 years for people to open their mouths about this event. March 18th will always be remembered in New London, Texas. The 40-foot-tall granite monument that stands in the middle of Highway 42 in front of the school is a constant reminder.

Cherish your children!!