Sunshine Mine Disaster

Sunshine Mine Disaster is an Idaho historical marker in Shoshone County, dedicated 2025.

I-90 (Near Exit 54), milepost 54.2

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In 1972, America’s richest silver mine witnessed one of the nation’s deadliest mine accidents. On May 2, fire broke out a half mile underground at the nearby Sunshine Mine. Heat, smoke, and gas spread quickly through the intricate system of underground workings. Of the 173 workers who entered the mine that day, 91 died—all from carbon monoxide poisoning. This Idaho tragedy helped transform the nation’s mining industry, prompting passage of the federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977. The act brought stricter safety regulations—including rescue training and evacuation drills—that continue to govern hard-rock mining.

TodayHistorical map

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USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection

Historical maps covering this location

1861 · Rocky Mountains to Puget Sound. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
1872 · Bancroft's Map Of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana And British Columbia. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
1901 · Coeur D'Alene District, Idaho (USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection)
1903 · Coeur D'Alene District, Idaho (USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection)
1906 · Coeur D'Alene District, Idaho (USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection)

Coeur D'Alene District, Idaho, 1901, covering the location of Sunshine Mine Disaster, with a pin at the marker's coordinates — Coeur D'Alene District, Idaho, 1901, covering this location. USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection. The pin is ours, placed from the marker's coordinates.

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Sunshine Mine Disaster

Historical maps covering this location

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