The 50th anniversary of the Sheppton Mine Disaster has raised questions about ownership of the land.

According to John Bova, son of deceased miner Louis Bova, the area where the rescue bore holes were driven and the resting place of miner Bova is now owned by Eva Bova."We own a small area there. It was deeded to us and I now have a key to the gate," Bova told the TIMES NEWS.The site is difficult to find. The steel gate near the entrance to a dirt access lane off Schoolhouse Road between Sheppton and Oneida in East Union Township is the only telltale sign that one has reached the general area of the ill-fated mine.Bova said he believes his family's parcel measures one acre in size.The land reportedly was donated to the family by the Fellin Coal Company after Louis Bova was not found, nor his body recovered, after the mine cave-in.Most of the surrounding land is said to be owned by the Sheppton Hunting Club.According to court records, three acres of land over the former Fellin Coal Company mine was turned over to Eva Bova of Shenandoah, widow of deceased miner Louis Bova, on Sept. 9, 1964.Eva Bova passed away in November 2006. However, records still indicate her name as the legal owner.The land is described as being vacant and exempt, classified as CX, for commercial exempt."Nothing will ever be allowed to be built there," said Bova, of Lower Shaft.The mostly wooded lot is valued at $630. It hosts a gravemarker and surrounding fence. There has been one minor but significant improvement. A white, wooden picket fence that surrounded the memorial marker as recently as 2006 has been replaced with a weatherproof vinyl fence.The lot is situated directly above the deep mine and encompasses the area where several bore holes were drilled to a depth of over 330 feet to reach the trapped workers in 1963. A final 17.5-inch bore hole allowed the two survivors to be hoisted to the surface.Today, three six-inch bore holes are plainly visible, their casings rising a foot or more above ground level.According to records, the land surrounding the former mine is owned by the Blue Knob Rod and Gun Club, Sheppton, Robert Fellin, treasurer.