Plans underway for 50th anniversary of Richmond explosions

RICHMOND, Ind. (AP) - Officials have begun planning events to remember the 50th anniversary of deadly explosions in the downtown Richmond area.

The April 6, 1968 blasts killed more than 40 people, injured more than 120 others and destroyed 15 buildings in the community east of Indianapolis.

The back-to-back explosions and resulting fires eliminated all evidence to determine how it started, according to the Pal-Item (http://pinews.co/2lqicoj ).

Wayne County Historical Museum Executive Director Jim Harlan is reaching out to arts groups, downtown businesses, educational institutions and others that would be interested in organizing events on April 5-7, 2018.

"It definitely shaped the history of this community," Harlan said of the explosions.

A committee of representatives from local agencies and organizations that responded to the explosions also is being put together.

"We want the community to have a chance to tell their story," Harlan added. "About everyone has a story, and we'd like to get those down. It's time for us to make sure we have all we can get."

The museum is looking for donations of items related to the explosions, as well as photos from that time that can be loaned. Indiana University East also is organizing oral history recordings of those who have memories of that day.

"It was a really devastating time in our community," said Mark Stover who helped rescue other people after the blasts and now is a Wayne County sheriff's deputy.

"To put it in its proper place and record its history - the more people who get involved, the better the story that will be told," he said.