Full of history, culture, and recreational opportunities, Marion County really is the Middle of Everywhere! From the rolling rapids of Valley Falls State Park to the Italian influence of local bakeries, there's so much to do while visiting the area. While you're visiting West Virginia, we invite you to join us for the Middle of Everywhere GeoTour! This officially registered tour highlights 20 of our favorite locations in the area, categorized by shops, history, murals, and parks! Find 16/20 caches to qualify for a limited-edition GeoTour coin. Find all 20 to get a unique souvenir added to your Geocaching profile.

For information regarding the GeoTour and a full list of caches, please visit our website.

MOE-GT #13: Monongah Mining Disaster
Category: Marion's Mining

The Monongah mining disaster of Monongah, West Virginia, occurred on December 6, 1907, and has been described as "the worst mining disaster in American history". The explosion occurred in Fairmont Coal Company’s No. 6 and No. 8 mines and was one of the contributing events leading to the creation of the United States Bureau of Mines.

TO FIND THIS CACHE, first visit the Monongah Heroine memorial, honoring those lost in the Monongah Mining Disaster. It is highly recommended to park in the lot for the park and trail system for both stages. To obtain the final coordinates, you'll need an NFC enabled device, most smartphones should work well. Simply tap the corner of your phone to the NFC chip located under the stone bench and the final coordinates will be transmitted.

The final is a short walk away along the former railroad route. Roundtrip, this cache is about a mile of walking. You are searching for an ammo can container tucked away in the usual spot. Please replace the cache well.

THANKS FOR VISITING!

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