Published: May 6, 2020 |

Two kiosks were damaged and an American flag burned at the Avondale Mine Memorial Park.
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A hand written sign is posted on a damaged kiosk at the Avondale Mine Memorial Park in Plymouth Township.
[Click image to enlarge]

Two American flags were burned and plexiglass to a kiosk was smashed at the Avondale Mine Memorial Park.

Steve Konrad, president of the Plymouth Historical Society that owns and maintains the memorial park, believes the vandalism occurred Sunday afternoon.

Broken pieces of plexiglass and burnt literature laid on the ground near the kiosk that stands in front of the mine shaft.

Also burned was a list of names of the 110 men and boys killed in the Sept. 6, 1869 disaster and a visitors sign-in book containing approximately 600 names, Konrad said.

”It’s malicious to see what happened to the park,” Konrad said. “Whoever is responsible pulled out all the papers we had in the kiosk, including the names of all those killed and burned them.”

Konrad said an American flag in the main section of the park that hung on a pole fastened to a tree was burned.

Whoever vandalized the park took time to climb up the steep embankment to burn a second American flag on a pole. A solar light on top of the pole melted from heat, Konrad said.

State police Trooper Deanna Piekanski said they are investigating the vandalism.

Konrad said a trail camera was also missing from the park.

The main kiosk was not damaged as Konrad removed its plexiglass door.

Avondale Mine Memorial Park is located along Route 11 and is reached after walking about 400 yards on the former Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad bed. Although a road gate blocks vehicles, all-terrain vehicles and off-road motorcycles can easily access the park.

While suspicion is on someone who rides an off-road vehicle, Konrad is reaching out to those who routinely ride ATVs and motorcycles in the area for help in finding the vandal or vandals.

“What we’re hoping for is someone to come forward with information,” Konrad said.

A message posted on the Plymouth Historical Society’s Facebook page on Monday related to the vandalism.

“Someone out there knows who’s responsible. Odds are they didn’t hike 400 yards to damage the Avondale Mine site but drove there on an ATV, dirt bike or a mountain bike. So, we’re asking the trail riding community for your HELP!” the message says.

Last year marked the 150th anniversary of the Avondale Mine Disaster when 110 men and boys were killed in a massive fire in the Steuben Shaft, blocking their only means of escape.

The park got its beginnings in the early 2000s but the Plymouth Historical Society stepped up efforts in 2012 to clear underbrush and remove illegal dumping sites. Earth Conservancy donated more than 4 acres of land consisting of the memorial park in 2014 to the historical society.

Source: Times Leader

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