DescriptionElijah Smith and Phillip Gallaher first developed the Smith Mine east of Red Lodge in 1897. The mine later became the property of the Montana Coal & Iron Company. During World War II, the company greatly increased coal production at the mine. On February 27, 1943, an explosion rocked the mine, killing 74 miners. This disaster and the competition of cheaper strip-mined coal led to the eventual end of coal mining in the Red Lodge area. Personal NamesSmith, ElijahGallaher, PhillipContributing InstitutionMontana Historical Society Library and ArchivesGeolocation[1] Elevation4841 ft. CountyCarbon County
