Edison, NJ- On March 1st, 1924, a quiet Saturday morning in the industrial town of Raritan, New Jersey, was violently shattered. An explosion at the Nixon Nitration Works facility ripped through the area, triggering devastating fires and a chain of destruction that echoed for miles. Twenty lives were lost, and the once-bustling industrial hub was left a smoldering ruin.
To commemorate the 100th year anniversary of those who lost their lives in this historical disaster Rob Kentos, President of the Metuchen-Edison Historical Society and Charles Bachman, Owner and Brewer of Cypress Brewing have partnered to present the 100th Anniversary Commemoration of the Nixon Nitration Works Disaster.
Bachman has created a special beer for the event called “1924 Faithful Service Medal Brew”. Kentos said admission is free to the event to be held at Cypress Brewing located at 30 Nixon Lane, Edison, NJ on March 2nd from 12:00pm – 4:00pm and members of the Metuchen-Edison Historical Society who are in attendance will receive a free commerative can.
World War I had spurred a massive demand for explosives, and the sprawling Nixon Nitration Works, nestled along the Raritan River, was a key player in supplying these materials. Founded by industrialist Lewis Nixon, the plant churned out tons of volatile chemicals, most notably ammonium nitrate – a crucial component in munitions.
However, the race to produce on such a scale came at a cost. Safety precautions were often secondary to wartime production needs, and the massive stockpiles of hazardous materials were a powder keg waiting to be lit.
Around 11:15 AM on that fateful day, the disaster began. An initial explosion in a building processing ammonium nitrate—the exact cause remains unknown—ignited a series of devastating chain reactions. Fires spread rapidly, engulfing neighboring structures filled with flammable chemicals. Explosions rocked the entire complex, their power felt as far as New York City.
The small town of Raritan was devastated. Homes were leveled, debris rained down on nearby communities, and the once-prosperous industrial site was reduced to burning rubble.
Firefighters, rescue workers, and volunteers poured into the area, but the devastation was immense. The final death toll reached twenty, with countless others injured. The financial and environmental cost was staggering.
The disaster exposed the vulnerabilities of rapid industrialization and the terrifying consequences of handling vast quantities of dangerous chemicals. It led to reevaluations of safety standards in the industry and raised critical questions about the balance between production and worker safety.
The Nixon Nitration Works disaster, a century later, remains a potent reminder of the dangers of unchecked industry. The land where the plant once stood, now within Edison Township, NJ, has been reclaimed after significant environmental remediation.
Memorials and events like the recent 100th anniversary commemoration by the Metuchen Edison Historical Society and Cypress Brewing ensure that the victims are remembered, and the somber lessons of this disaster live on.
