In the early morning of July 17, 1922, as the nation was nearing the fourth month of a coal miners’ strike, an unknown number of unionized miners, estimated to be between 300 and 500 strong, crossed the border from Avella, Pa. into West Virginia with the intent of stopping nonunion miners from working at the Saledka Mine in the small mining town of Cliftonville.

By 7 a.m., at least 13 men were dead, including Brooke County Sheriff H.H. Duval, an unknown number of men were wounded, and the mine’s coal tipple had been destroyed. The exact events of the morning, not entirely clear even in 1922, remain a mystery today.

In July 1922, our tranquil valley took the world stage when a local mine labor dispute turned deadly. This year, Meadowcroft will remember this tragic event with new public programming.

ram is included with regular admission of Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village.