In the dangerous profession of mining, some miners believe that they are not alone in the dark tunnels. They claim to hear mysterious knocks and taps, sometimes warning them of impending doom, sometimes leading them to rich veins of ore, and sometimes playing tricks on them. These sounds are attributed to the Tommyknockers, a mythical race of small, gnome-like creatures who inhabit the dark corners of mines and have a complex relationship with the human miners. The legend of the Tommyknockers has its roots in the folklore of Cornwall and Devon, where they were known as Knockers or Knackers, and was brought to America by the immigrant miners from those regions. It's a fascinating mining mythos.
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Here, we are talking about the Tommyknockers. They are legendary little creatures of mining communities. Let’s get to the lore.
Tommyknockers are said to be gnome-like creatures that live in mines. They are described as being small, about the size of a child. They have large heads, long arms, and wrinkled skin. They are usually dressed in miners' clothing, and said to be carrying mining tools like picks and shovels.
They are known for making knocking noises, which some believe to be a warning to danger. Because of this, some miners believe that the Tommyknockers are harmless, or even friendly, benevolent creatures.
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For example, in the 1907 Monongah Mine Disaster, 361 miners were killed from an explosion. It is the worst mining disaster on American soil. The explosion destroyed much of the mine and the surface, and people could feel the explosion as far as eight miles away.
Some miners claimed that they heard knocking noises before the accident, and they believed that these noises were Tommyknockers warning them of danger.
But, there are those who believe that Tommyknockers are mischievous or even malevolent. In which case, Tommyknockers are sometimes blamed for causing mining accidents.
An example of this is in the 1909 Cherry Mine Disaster in Colorado. 259 miners were killed when a fire broke out.
Some miners claimed that they had seen Tommyknockers dancing in the mine before the fire, and they believed that these creatures caused it.
The legend of the Tommyknockers seems to have originated in Cornwall, England. It was brought to the United States by English miners in the 1800s. The legend is quite well-known in the states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia, New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado. Also in Ontario and British Columbia in Canada.
Essentially in places where there are mining industries. Over the years, the legend has grown into mining communities all over the world.
Pop culture has also embraced Tommyknockers by featuring them in a number of books, movies, and television shows. Perhaps the most famous one is Stephen King’s 1987 novel, The Tommyknockers.
