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The 1937 New London School Explosion
March 18, 1937 · We remember the students and teachers of the London School.
Demo notice: This page is a demonstration prepared by Lowboy Digital LLC and is not an official City of New London publication. Facts summarized from public historical sources (Texas State Historical Association; New London School Explosion survivor resources).
What happened
On the afternoon of Thursday, March 18, 1937, at about 3:17 p.m., a natural gas explosion destroyed the New London Consolidated School in Rusk County, Texas. Odorless natural gas had leaked into an enclosed space beneath the building and was ignited, likely by a spark from electrical equipment in a shop classroom.
Nearly 300 students and teachers were killed — most commonly cited as about 295–298 — making it one of the deadliest school disasters in American history. Oilfield workers, neighbors, and families dug through the rubble through the night to search for survivors.
A lasting legacy
Because the leaking gas had no smell, no one could detect the danger. In response, the Texas Legislature soon required that a distinctive malodorant (mercaptan) be added to natural gas — the "rotten egg" smell that now protects homes and schools nationwide. The tragedy also contributed to the creation of the Texas engineering licensure law.
The memorial
A pink granite cenotaph, dedicated in 1939, stands on State Highway 42 in New London in honor of those lost. The London Museum across the highway preserves the history of the school and community.
Documentary video
Content note: the video below describes the loss of children's lives. Closed captions are available through the YouTube player's CC button (auto-generated captions may contain errors). The video is produced by a third party and is not endorsed by the City.