Richmond, Indiana explosion

Richmond, Indiana explosion

Date	April 6, 1968 (1968-04-06)
Time	1:47PM EST
Location	Downtown Richmond, Indiana
Casualties
41 killed
150+ injured

The Richmond, Indiana explosion was a double explosion which occurred at 1:47 PM EST on Saturday, April 6, 1968 in downtown Richmond, Indiana. The explosions killed 41 people and injured more than 150. The primary explosion was due to natural gas leaking from one or more faulty transmission lines under the Marting Arms sporting goods store, located at the intersection of 6th and Main streets. A secondary explosion was caused by gunpowder stored inside the building.

Effects

Location of Richmond in the state of Indiana

Twenty buildings in and adjacent to the site of the explosion were condemned as a direct result of the explosions. Ultimately, the main street through downtown Richmond was permanently closed to traffic and the Downtown Promenade was built in 1972 (later expanded in 1978). This five-block pedestrian mall was converted to allow the street to be reopened to traffic 29 years after the explosion, in 1997, as part of an urban revitalization effort.

A simple curved brick memorial honoring those lost in the tragedy was erected in the downtown, with metal lettering: In memory of the forty-one persons who lost their lives in the tragic downtown explosion April 6, 1968 and with everlasting gratitude to those who helped give rebirth to this city.

Media

In April 2007, a team of Richmond-based filmmakers announced their work on a documentary film, 1:47, about the explosion and its effects. The film premiered in April 2008 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the explosion.

References

• Death in a Sunny Street: The Civil Defense story of the Richmond, Indiana disaster, April 6, 1968 by Esther Kellner (online library collection)
• Palladium Item Special Edition commemorating the 40th anniversary of the explosion.

External links

• 1:47 Documentary film project