On March 18, 1937, one of the most tragic days in Texas history unfolded when a devastating natural gas explosion at the New London School claimed the lives of more than 295 students and teachers. The wealthy school district, situated in a prosperous oil region with 10,000 oil derricks, had made the fatal decision to save money by tapping into a residue gas line from Parade Gasoline Company – a common but dangerous practice that allowed odorless, untreated natural gas to leak into the school’s crawl space.
The explosion occurred shortly after 3:15 p.m. when instructor Lemmie R. Butler is reputed to have turned on an electric sander, creating a spark that ignited the accumulated gas. Other sources contend that static electricity was a potential cause. The blast was so powerful it could be heard four miles away and felt up to 40 miles away, causing the walls to bulge and the roof to lift before crashing down. The response was immediate and overwhelming, with oil field workers, Texas Rangers, highway patrol, and even young reporter Walter Cronkite joining in the desperate rescue efforts. Some miraculous survivors were found protected under a large bookcase that had shielded them from the collapsing building. In an ironic note, a blackboard found in the destroyed school bore a bitter legend: “Oil and natural gas are East Texas’ greatest natural gifts. Without them, this school would not be here and none of us would be learning our lessons.”
This catastrophic event led to crucial safety reforms that continue to protect lives today. Within weeks, Texas became the first state to mandate adding thiols (mercaptans) to natural gas, giving it the distinctive rotten egg smell that helps detect leaks. The disaster also prompted new state laws requiring wet gas to be burned at extraction sites rather than piped away, and led to the creation of the Engineering Registration Act (now the Texas Engineering Practice Act), establishing professional standards for engineers that remain in effect.
More Information:
