The London Museum & Cafe, located in New London, Texas, is a hidden gem that surprises visitors with its well-done exhibits. Archivist Becky Tyner, a volunteer at the museum since 1997, highlights the importance of preserving the history of the London School Explosion that occurred on March 18, 1937.
The museum sits in close proximity to the West Rusk High School, previously known as London High School until 1965. The London School Explosion Memorial, a 32-foot cenotaph made of Texas pink granite, stands as a tribute to the lives lost in the tragic event. Despite being referred to as the New London School Explosion, Jimmie Piercy, a volunteer docent, clarifies that the school was originally named London School before the town’s name change.
The explosion was a result of two fatal flaws in the school’s construction. The building was not built on a slab as planned, leaving a crawl space underneath it. Additionally, the decision to use natural gas for heating, with 72 connections to one gas line in the poorly ventilated crawl space, proved to be disastrous. Following the cancellation of the natural gas contract in 1937, a spark in the workshop ignited the accumulated gas, resulting in a devastating explosion.
The aftermath of the explosion was chaotic, with students and teachers experiencing severe injuries and loss of life. The lack of emergency services at the time led to mothers from a PTA meeting becoming the first responders. Nearby hospitals and morgues quickly filled up as the community grappled with the tragedy.
Despite the national attention the London School Explosion received at the time, the incident was rarely discussed by the locals in New London. The trauma and grief associated with the event led to a collective silence that persisted for decades. Only in recent years has the London Museum & Cafe shed light on this dark chapter in history, ensuring that the victims are remembered and their stories told.
The museum, established in 1998, serves as a poignant reminder of the lives lost and the lessons learned from the tragedy. Through the efforts of volunteers and the support of the community, the London Museum & Cafe continues to honor the memory of those affected by the London School Explosion. As visitors explore the exhibits and learn about the events of that fateful day, they are encouraged to remember the past and ensure that such a disaster is never repeated.