Coal mining in west virginia history book

Stuart mcgehee coal has a rich heritage in west virginia and has contributed significantly to the progress and wellbeing of west virginians since it was first discovered in what is now boone county in 1742 by peter salley, more than a century before west virginia became a state. In west virginia, coal mining has a long and complex history. Throughout history, coal booms have been underlined by the deaths of hardworking miners stuck in the wrong place at the wrong time. The austinville lead and zinc mine in wythe county, virginia operated in the 18th century and was important in the revolutionary war in the production of bullets. Hanson has explored the coal mining history of a putnam county, west virginia community in his latest book. A day in the life of a west virginia coal miner literary hub. The coal is extracted through drift and slope mines.

The west virginia archives and history web site offers detailed information on the states history, outlines the documents available in the state archives, and provides assistance in conducting genealogical research. See more ideas about west virginia, history and virginia. It was the basic energy source that fueled the industrial revolution of the 18th and 19th. The collection includes production records, inventory, shipping book, payroll sheets, a daybook, and a letter book. Virginias abandoned mine land aml program, administered by the division of mined land reclamation, was established in the late 1970s to correct prefederal act 1977 coal mine related problems adversely impacting public health, safety, general welfare, and the environment the division of gas and oil administers the orphaned well fund, established july 1, 1990, for the purpose of plugging. The fossil fuel resource, present in all but two of west virginias 55 counties, began to thrive as a commercial industry in the late 19th century. This book discusses and illustrates the basics of mining methods and operations, the geology of the state, life in a coal town, the unrest in the coalfields and more. See more ideas about west virginia, virginia and coal mining. Bituminous coal mining spread throughout the newly formed state of west virginia in the years following the civil war. The poor conditions in the mines brought about the first west virginia coal mining legislation in 1883. Coal mining would flourish, however, between 1880 and 1900, after competing railroad companies began carving routes through the mountains of appalachia.

Since then, this volume has become an essential sourcebook, consulted and quoted in nearly every study of coal field history. A strong, skilled coal loader might fill five or more cars in a day. The first reported discovery of coal occurred in 1742, more than a century before west virginia became a state. King coal describes the living conditions of the miners, and some of the state s worst mining disasters. The west virginia town of harpers ferry was the site of john browns illfated 1859 raid on the federal armory there. Those coal towns disappeared just as quickly as they appeared, though, leaving the ruins of the towns to be reclaimed by nature.

Interactive map of coal mines in west virginia american. Get a glimpse of west virginias mining history in these. Congress granted statehood to west virginia on june 20, 1863. Post card, miners house, pemberton coal and coke company, affinity. Mountain warrior profile of kentucky author and coalfield activist, harry caudill, noted for his famous book. The regions first coal miners primarily were african americans, both enslaved and free. In west virginias colliers, miners were paid 49 cents per ton of clean coal, compared with 76 cents in the unionized mines of ohio. This book relates the coal mine wars in west virginia from the late 1800s until the new deal gave the unions the right to organize in 1933. Historic mining in virginia virginia department of mines. Worst mine disasters in west virginia history tiano odell. Dana of kanawha county, west virginia, engaged in coal mining and general merchandise.

The year 1883 is an important year in west virginia s coal history. For miners, the system resembled something like feudalism. A history of coal in west virginia friends of coal. Working conditions were brutal for coal miners, and unionization was violently suppressed. Jan 25, 2016 a strong, skilled coal loader might fill five or more cars in a day. Coal mining, extraction of coal deposits from the surface of earth and from underground. Information with print includes electric mining, rope and electric haulage, capacity 2000 tons. January 11, 2012 consolidation coal company exploding vessel. West virginia is known around the world for coal mining. Carter coal company was incorporated on january 18,19. West virginia coal facts west virginia coal mine disasters from 1884 west virginia mine map archives mining in west virginia. March 16, 2015 paramont coal company virginia, llc rib fall. The coal industry was essentially the states sole source of work, and massive corporations built homes, general stores, schools, churches and recreational facilities in the remote towns near the mines. Watson in the development of the coal and railroad industry in the monongahela valley.

Plymouth the putnam county connection is a pictorial look into the communitys coal and river history and heritage from 1887 to 1943 and its connection. Plymouth the putnam county connection is a pictorial look into the communitys coal and river history and heritage from 1887 to 1943 and its connection to campbells creek in kanawha county. Donald trump yet to deliver promise to end barack obamas war on coal but locals hopeful the worst is far behind them. Take a look at these historic photos for a glimpse of the hard work, risk, and dedication from coal miners and their families throughout our states history. The most comprehensive and comprehendible history of the west virginia coal war ive ever read. Jun 20, 2017 the poor conditions in the mines brought about the first west virginia coal mining legislation in 1883. Popular coal mining books meet your next favorite book. Users can zoom in on mining areas and retrieve information for individual mines, including historical. The modern practice of coal mining 1907 chirons, nicholas p. Nov 15, 2018 important dates in west virginias mining history 1742 first discovery of coal by john peter salley in the area now comprising west virginia. John sayles, writer and director of matewan on september 1, 1912, the largest, most protracted, and deadliest workingclass uprising in american history was waged in west virginia.

With the growth of the industry the first mine safety laws were passed by the west virginia legislature on february 22, 1883. These 12 rare photos show west virginias mining history like never before december 6 is officially designated as miners day in the state of west virginia. There are scattered papers, including several hundred sermons of. The west virginia geological and economic survey provides an interactive map of underground and surface coal mining activity in west virginia. The industrys most striking growth, however, has been made since the year 1893. A must read for anyone who cares about the economic injustice of today and the future of our democracy as a native west virginian and coauthor of west virginia usa, a bicentennial book published in 1976, i have read dozens of books and countless articles about the coal wars of west virginia and the courageous lives of the laboring class across america who fought against economic injustice.

The fossil fuel resource, present in all but two of west virginias 55 counties, began to thrive as a commercial industry in the late 19th century, when the completion of. Secondly, the trade association is determined to preserve the dwindling number of coal jobs. Press babysitters club author martin to headline 2020 wv book festival charleston gazette, 02212020 putting the word out. In west virginias marion county, an explosion in a network of mines owned by the fairmont coal company in monongah kills 361 coal miners. Print published in a book titled, properties owned and controlled by the consolidated coal company west virginia properties inspected by directors and their guests aug. See explanation of types of coal mines on this page. Dec 03, 2019 in west virginias marion county, an explosion in a network of mines owned by the fairmont coal company in monongah kills 361 coal miners. Mining the mountains explosives and machines are destroying appalachian peaks to obtain coal. Like most of west virginia, the new river gorge area has a rich history of coal mining.

Users can zoom in on mining areas and retrieve information for individual mines. West virginia has been of more or less importance as a coal producing state since it was formed in 1863. The major rail lines were completed that year and production totaled nearly 3 million tons. For additional stories at this website on the history of coal and coal mining, see for example, the following. The original campbells creek book has been sold out for more than twenty years. In a west virginia town, residents and the industry fight over a mountains fate. Its predominant use has always been for producing heat energy. It was the worst mining disaster in american history. The history of coal mining in west virginia is a story of exploitation, explosions, murders, and struggle, but above all, its a story of hard work. According to the energy information agency eia, an office of the federal department of energy, west virginia coal production yeartodate is up 20 percent over the same period last year, and we appear on target to possibly cross the 100 million ton level for the full year. Overview papers of the eighth governor of west virginia, 18901893, who was an attorney in marion county, 18631867, a member of the house of delegates, 18721875, a circuit judge, 18781888. A brief history first appeared in 1963, a little book by a man with no training as either a writer or a historian. Get a glimpse of west virginias mining history in these 12. Dana was also one of the organizers of the campbells creek coal co.

The mining your history foundation was formed in april 1995 by a committee of west virginians with three goals in mind. By 1850, approximately half of kanawha countys slaves worked in the salt industrymany mined coal to fuel the furnaces. In 1890, the state union of united mine workers of america was organized in wheeling to push for better conditions. Recruitment of immigrants west virginia department of arts. A portrait of a coal mining community campbells creek. As a native west virginian and coauthor of west virginia usa, a bicentennial book published in 1976, i have read dozens of books and countless articles about the coal wars of west virginia and the courageous lives of the laboring class across america who fought against economic injustice during the most ruthless periods of the american. In its first year as a state, the total production was 444,648a short tons. Between 1880 and 1920, southern west virginias population grew from 93,000 to 446,000, due almost entirely to the coal industry. Child coal miners with mules in gary, west virginia in 1908. Coal age handbook of coal surface mining 1978 isbn 0070114587.

Coal was used to heat homes, generate cheap electricity, and produce steel. Important dates in west virginias mining history 1742 first discovery of coal by john peter salley in the area now comprising west virginia. Sep 02, 2019 west virginia man writes book about coal town september 2, 2019 todd a. Box 15 100 kelly ave oak hill, wv 25901 855 9822625 contact us site map.

Coal history birth of the coal industry railroads coal miners company towns king coal from shovels to machines united mine workers coal camp baseball end of an era. The map shows areas of active and historical coal mining in both underground and surface mines, with separate colors for auger and highwall mining. West virginia office of miners health safety and training. While the industry serves as a source of work and income, its a highrisk job. West virginia coal mining history the pop history dig. Early mining in virginia began with the retrieval of flint and stone by american indians for use as tools, and with the mining of bog iron ore near jamestown in 1619. Browsing west virginia history onview wvu libraries. A state mine inspector was appointed to inspect all mines for adequate safety conditions. Aug 12, 2019 a coalminer walks through the morning fog before going underground in a mine less than 40in high in welch, west virginia. Stuart mcgehee coal has a rich heritage in west virginia and has contributed significantly to the progress and wellbeing of west virginians since it was first discovered in what is now boone county in 1742 by peter salley, more. This might explain why from 1932 until recently the legislature in the state was controlled by democrats. The 25th anniversary edition of campbells creek a portrait of a coal mining community is a special reprint that holds the original content intact, just as it appeared when first released in october 1989.

Apr 25, 2017 child coal miners with mules in gary, west virginia in 1908. In fact, during the industrial period, more than 50 coal towns sprung up there, bringing thousands of people to the gorge. Small publishers enable wvs storytelling, literary pursuits charleston gazette, 11282019. West virginia had only a few active coal mines during the us civil war, with fewer than 1,600 miners in the whole state.