History of Onondaga County, New York
The Explosion at Split Rock's Munitions Plant
(Total Count of dead was officially 50 men)

July 2, 1918

EXPLOSION AND FIRE
IN SPLIT ROCK PLANT
KILLS 5, INJURES 45
 

Terrific Blast in T.N.T. Plant of Semet-Solvay Company Sends
Many Victims to Hospitals and Morgue - List of Dead and
Hurt May be Increased When Final Tally Is Made Today -
Flames Shoot High in Air and Intense Heat,
Noxious Gases and Poisonous Smoke Hamper
Work of Firemen and Rescuers.

This was the heading of the Post-Standard's 16,500 special editions printed just an hour after the explosion.  The
actual total was 100 injured and Officially 50 dead.  Of the 50 who died 15 bodies were never identified; burned
beyond recognition or only body parts were found.  In many cases identification was done only by the ID tag, jewelry,
or dental records.

This is our attempt to keep the memory of the heroes of that eventful night alive.
 

Click on image for the history of
the night the Rock split
 
 

"Never Forget Those who Walked these lands before us"
 

Credit for the information, pictures and stories goes to:
Jane Tracy - Historian of the Town of Onondaga who with her help I obtained copies
of many news articles and pictures of the blast at Split Rock stored at the Town of Onondaga's Historical Library.

Jasena Foley - Past Librarian/Historian of the Town of Onondaga whose book titled
The Night the Rock Blew got us hooked on finding more information about this disaster.
With great emphasis on detail, Mrs. Foley wrote not only about the events
that happened at the fire and blasts but also in the surrounding areas and how it affected the people.
Some of the stories of that terrible night are from her book and newspaper articles she wrote.

Dick Case, a columnist for the Herald Journal that for many years has written about this tragedy along with
other fine points of interest.  It is through his columns that history and unusual points of interest are recalled.

Richard Miller haunted by a need to know and record all about the blast at the munitions plant, still continues
his search for the answers.

Arthur Cullings was the Company's photographer and although many glass negatives were destroyed because of the
restrictions of  photography of munition plants during wartime, some of his pictures survived.

All photos are courtesy of the Town of Onondaga Historical Society; Onondaga Hill, New York.
 

Still Under Construction

Any of your comments welcome
ckote@twcny.rr.com

Sharon & Scott Chesbro

Last updated Sept 2001