West Virginia Coal Camps
Written: Sep 10 '09
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Lots of history and artifacts left behind.
Cons: You will get dirty getting to these camps.
The Bottom Line: West Virginia is a beautiful state with so much to offer. Your won't leave disapointed.
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| frainke's Full Review: West Virginia |
The coal camps of West Virginia offer not only a look back at history but an understanding of the extent people will go to just to provide for their families.
Being from another state I was intrigued by the history of West Virginia. Most of all their many coal camps scattered throughout the state. Each camp left behind a little bit of history as to how the camp operated and how the people lived that worked there. I married into a coal mining family, my husband, his brother, father and grandfather were and are coal miners and as I said being from another state where people never really thought about coal mining or pictured men going underground with picks and shovels, you never really know what these people do.
Everyday that these minors go to work they risk their lives and in West Virginia, mining is one of the highest paid jobs so many people flee to the mines after high school. Back in the day kids even worked at these mines at a very young age.
There is on coal camp and mine still open today for the public to view and that is the Beckley Exhibition Coal mine in Beckley WV. This mine first began operation in the early 20th century. At this mine you can ride in coal cars through a tour of an underground mine and learn about how life was underground and the actual tool that were used. Also at this mine they have a school, church and superintendents home that were used during that period. The town of Beckley has preserved this camp nicely and they even offer a small museum with even more artifacts from the era.
For less preserved coal camps there is the Glen White mining camp in Glen White, WV. Where the mine owner E.E Whites house still stands and has been kept up since the mine began just before World war 1 and closed in 1945. Left behind are the owner’s house, the former offices, power house and several minors homes are still standing and occupied to this day.
Another is the coal mines of Eccles West Virginia. Where in 1914 two of their mines the number 5 and 6 had exploded and killed nearly 183 minors. The mine was later sealed and a monument was placed on the opening in memory of the lost. In Eccles you can still find the old preparation plant and a reclaim tunnel and was remains of the tipple. There are still minor’s homes standing in Eccles and are still being used to this day.
There are so many mines here in West Virginia that would keep the average explorer busy for weeks. For a list of coal camps and a little bit more history on them you can visit http://www.coalcampusa.comhttp://www.coalcampusa.com. I encourage all who visit West Virginia to explore some of these coal camps and understand what life was like and what these minors do just to provide for their families.
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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Epinions.com ID:
frainke
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Member: Frankie Mills
Location: West Virginia
Reviews written: 131
Trusted by: 100 members
About Me:
Don't judge them for what they look like but for who they are!
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