The 1906 Shenks Ferry Dynamite Disaster

On June 9, 1906, a quiet riverside community at Shenks Ferry was shattered by one of the deadliest disasters in Lancaster County history. In this episode, we revisit the catastrophic explosion at the McAfee Powder & Oil Company, where a blast inside the factory’s “punch house” instantly killed eleven workers and sent shockwaves across the surrounding countryside. The force of the explosion was so severe that many of the victims could not be identified, leading to a somber mass burial marked simply: “Our Boys.”Through newspaper accounts and the firsthand diary entries of a local undertaker, we explore the aftermath of the tragedy and the deep grief felt in Colemanville and beyond. Despite a formal investigation, the exact cause of the explosion remains uncertain—adding an enduring layer of mystery to an already heartbreaking event. Today, the site rests quietly in the woods, its faint ruins and memorial serving as a powerful reminder of lives lost in an era when industry often came at a devastating cost. Click here to read more.Read More!Uncharted Lancaster’s Ghosts, Monsters, and Tales of Adventure takes readers on a 283-page spine-tingling journey through Lancaster County’s haunted history, eerie legends, and hidden treasures. From ghostly apparitions to outlaw loot, these 64 true local stories blend real history with gripping folklore. Order your copy today.