The 1937 New London School Explosion Shaped Natural Gas Safety Law

The New London School sat in the heart of Rusk County's oil country. In early 1937, the school board decided to save money by tapping a residue gas line from a nearby oil company instead of paying for utility gas. The unprocessed gas had no added odor. It leaked undetected beneath the building. On the afternoon of March 18, a spark ignited the gas. The blast collapsed the steel-framed building, killing an estimated 298 students and teachers. The Texas State Historical Association calls it the worst school disaster in U.S. history.

The disaster led directly to a law requiring natural gas to be odorized — giving it the rotten-egg smell people recognize as a warning today. That rule is now standard across the United States. A museum and memorial stand in New London today to honor those who died. If you visit Rusk County, the New London Museum is a quiet and meaningful stop.