The Banner Mine Explosion of 1911 | Encore Episode
From Southern Gothic by Southern Gothic Media
May 4, 2026 · 31 min
About this episode
The episode discusses the tragic Banner Mine explosion of 1911 and its implications on convict-lease labor in Alabama.
The Banner Mine explosion of April 8, 1911, in Alabama claimed the lives of 128 men, predominantly African American prisoners leased to the Pratt Consolidated Coal Company by the state. This devastating event underscored the dire conditions of convict-lease labor, a system exploiting carefully tailored laws to target black men for profit-driven incarceration. Despite the tragedy, reforms to address the systemic injustices perpetuated by this exploitative practice were not made in Alabama for another decade and a half. Want to Listen to Southern Gothic Ad-Free? Patreon: Ad-Free Episodes, Premium Releases, Bonus Content & More Southern Gothic Premium on Spotify Southern Gothic Premium on Apple Podcasts Into History: History Without Interruption Connect with Southern Gothic Media: Website: SouthernGothicMedia.com Merch Store: https://www.southerngothicmedia.com/merch Pinterest: @SouthernGothicMedia Facebook: @SouthernGothicMedia Instagram: @SouthernGothicMedia X: @SoGoPodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Topics covered
- mining disaster
- convict-lease labor
- systemic injustice
- African American history
- true crime
- Alabama history
Keywords
- Banner Mine explosion
- 1911
- Alabama
- convict-lease labor
- systemic injustice
- African American history
- Pratt Consolidated Coal Company
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Pratt Consolidated Coal Company
Places: Alabama
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