The Hawks Nest Tunnel, built from 1930 to 1932, was a massive hydroelectric project in West Virginia, meant to power a Union Carbide plant. Nearly 5,000 workers, many of them Black migrants from the South, helped drill through three miles of rock.

But it became one of the worst industrial disasters in U.S. history. The rock contained pure silica, and workers were not protected from the dangerous dust. Many developed silicosis, a deadly lung disease. Poor ventilation, no safety gear, and long hours made things worse. Some workers died just months after starting the job.

Though estimates vary, up to 1,000 men may have died. Lawsuits followed, but companies paid only a small settlement, and trials were marked by jury issues and low compensation.

The disaster shocked the nation, inspiring books, poems, and songs, and raised awareness about worker safety. Despite the tragedy, the tunnel still operates today.