NEW LONDON — A monument to the people who died in the March 18, 1937, London School explosion was, in part, the nationwide effort of schoolchildren who donated their pennies, nickels and dimes to the effort.
John Davidson, volunteer docent at the London Museum, said the London Cenotaph, which was commissioned in December 1938, was a small part of the outpouring of sympathy from East Texas, the nation and the world. The museum chronicles the explosion.
Click the image above for an audio slideshow in the survivors own words.
Click the image above to see a video on London history.
The monument contains the names of 293 people who were killed in the school explosion, Davidson said. Since the victims of the disaster are buried elsewhere, he said, the cenotaph is an appropriate type of monument. It sits in a median on Texas 42 directly between the school and the museum in the Rusk County community of New London.
Cenotaph, a Greek word meaning "empty tomb," is appropriately given to the monument.
On March 26, 1937, a group of people who were residents of the London School District met at the London Elementary School Building, which had escaped the explosion, and organized the London School Memorial Association.
The association elected a board of directors composed of M. H. Marwil, Henderson; John Lumpkin, New London; Mrs. Faye Beidelman, London; Mrs. Polk Childress, London; Sam Warren, Overton; Mrs. Claude Jacobs, London; and Mrs. H. B. Whittington, Overton.
Davidson said the cost of the monument was about $20,000.
In December 1938, a contract for the building and erecting of the monument was awarded to the Premier Granite Quarries of Llano. Donald Nelson of Dallas was appointed architect for the project. After a competition in which seven Texas sculptors submitted preliminary models, Herring Coe of Beaumont was awarded the task of making the model for the sculptural block.
The sculptural block of Texas granite depicts 12 life-size figures, representing children coming to school, bringing gifts and handing in homework to two teachers.
The massive granite block weighs 20 tons and is seven feet high and four feet thick. It is supported by two monolithic granite columns with fluted sides. These 20-foot high columns rise from a granite platform which is reached on two sides by granite steps. Overall, the cenotaph monument is 32 feet high, according to information provided by the museum.
Here is a list of people known to have died in the explosion or as a result of it:
Thank you first for the articles about the anniversy of New London. When I lived in Longview in 65 I met a gentlman who was the manager of an apartment I lived in. He was a student at New London. He told me the day of the explosion was his birthday and he did not want to go to school. So he hid under the porch all day. He then told me when the school blew up he saw his mother running out of the house very upset. His name is Roy Tilly. I still think about Roy when I hear about New London.Thanks
This year’s reunion was extremely great, and very well
organized! I would like to thank “EVERYONE” who had a part in the
organizing, presenting the programs, and to all the exes and
others that came to share in the memories of our loved ones
who gave their lives that we in the future could live in a
safer enviroment by having ‘gas’ that smells.
I’m sorry for the saddness for the surviors.I know everything God has a purpose for.That because of it may have saved many other lives.I have three beautiful children and can’t even imagine that happening.I have shared this story with them and their hearts go out to the surviors.I’ve told them you never know what may happen enjoy everyday with anyone that you love like it’s your last.My prayers are with all of the ones on that horrible day!
I had the wonderful pleasure of attending the four different activities for the 70th Anniversary of the London School Explosion last Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I am amazed at the warmth and sincere appreciation of the survivors. It was an honor to be with them and to just listen to their stories and rememberences of that fateful day that changed so many lives. Thanks to everyone that attended and especially to everyone who organized and planned the four activities. See all of you in 2009.
What interesting recollections of that very horrific explosion that happened years ago. I am very glad that all have found closure. I am very glad Bill Thompson has accepted the fact that it wasn’t his fault at all, but can relate to how it could have had that effect on him. Blessings to all and I know that thru it all, In God we still trust.
I was 2 years old at the time of the explosion living in New Summerfield,Texas. Your stories cover a very tragic time in the lives of many people, not only in London, but in the many surrounding communities that were, and are, their neighbors. The stories are a good history lesson and reflect a great way of life in the East Texas community. People caring for their neighbors in 1937 and today. That’s just the way they are.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Janet Lurker
March 18, 2007 9:04 AM | Link to this
Thank you first for the articles about the anniversy of New London. When I lived in Longview in 65 I met a gentlman who was the manager of an apartment I lived in. He was a student at New London. He told me the day of the explosion was his birthday and he did not want to go to school. So he hid under the porch all day. He then told me when the school blew up he saw his mother running out of the house very upset. His name is Roy Tilly. I still think about Roy when I hear about New London.Thanks
By Betty Stone Lyon (1960)
March 19, 2007 8:33 AM | Link to this
This year’s reunion was extremely great, and very well organized! I would like to thank “EVERYONE” who had a part in the organizing, presenting the programs, and to all the exes and others that came to share in the memories of our loved ones who gave their lives that we in the future could live in a safer enviroment by having ‘gas’ that smells.
By Cindy Hutchison
March 19, 2007 5:47 PM | Link to this
I’m sorry for the saddness for the surviors.I know everything God has a purpose for.That because of it may have saved many other lives.I have three beautiful children and can’t even imagine that happening.I have shared this story with them and their hearts go out to the surviors.I’ve told them you never know what may happen enjoy everyday with anyone that you love like it’s your last.My prayers are with all of the ones on that horrible day!
By Jim Ross
March 19, 2007 10:19 PM | Link to this
I had the wonderful pleasure of attending the four different activities for the 70th Anniversary of the London School Explosion last Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I am amazed at the warmth and sincere appreciation of the survivors. It was an honor to be with them and to just listen to their stories and rememberences of that fateful day that changed so many lives. Thanks to everyone that attended and especially to everyone who organized and planned the four activities. See all of you in 2009.
By Kaye
March 21, 2007 9:17 AM | Link to this
I had a science teacher/coach in middle school named James Motley. He was a survivor of the New London explosion. Wondered if he was still alive.
By Feby
March 21, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this
What interesting recollections of that very horrific explosion that happened years ago. I am very glad that all have found closure. I am very glad Bill Thompson has accepted the fact that it wasn’t his fault at all, but can relate to how it could have had that effect on him. Blessings to all and I know that thru it all, In God we still trust.
By Ken Dickson
March 25, 2007 9:34 PM | Link to this
I was 2 years old at the time of the explosion living in New Summerfield,Texas. Your stories cover a very tragic time in the lives of many people, not only in London, but in the many surrounding communities that were, and are, their neighbors. The stories are a good history lesson and reflect a great way of life in the East Texas community. People caring for their neighbors in 1937 and today. That’s just the way they are.