WV coal mining history

wv coal miner

JSTOR had an article about the coal mines of West Virginia. This is an image of a coal miner from West Virginia. This is not a glamorous job and while it is back breaking work it is also what built the West Virginia economy.

Mapping of the battle of Blair Mountain

This is a document that goes into detail about what the miners faced and how they fought. It is a detailed mapping of the battle and is to allow for a better understanding of what happened there.

Find West Virginia Mine Town "Shot Off the Map"

An old Washington Post article about what is happening at the coal mines in West Virginia.

Black Miners and the Battle of Blair Mountain

An article talking about the different types of miners and what they experienced.

West Virginia Coal Mine Fatalities: The Subculture of Danger and a Statistical Overview of the Pre-enforcement Era

An article about the dangerous culture surrounding the coal mining industry

Bank Boss (on right) Brake Boy (in centre) Laura Mine, Red Star, W. Va. Location: Red Star, West Virginia.

An image of a group of coal miners

The Coal Town System

In this video by American Experience it goes into detail into how company towns operated and what the did.

Paint Creek JCT, Coal Mine Strike, Cabin Creek, W. Va

This image is of coal miners in Kanawha County. This is the start of a year long strike in which the miners were demanding raises.

Monongah No. 8 Mine, Fairmont Coal Company, Marion County, W. Va

On December 6, 1907, an explosion at Monongah Mines #8 and #6, killed over 361 Workers. While no cause has ever been found, new laws were passed to help better protect miners.

Mining Town of Dorothy, W. Va.

This company town was owned by Four States Coal and Coke Company. They were a subsidiary of the Pittsburg and Buffalo Co. from Pennsylvania. In these towns the coal company owns everything, houses, stores, and schools.