The Dunglen Hotel – Thurmond, West VirginiaThe Dunglen Hotel – Thurmond, West Virginia
In 1901 an opulent hotel was built along the banks of the New River, across that river from the coal town of Thurmond. This hotel went on to host political
Category: The Coalfields
The Coal Mine Explosion At Farmington, West VirginiaThe Coal Mine Explosion At Farmington, West Virginia
On November 20, 1968, there was a massive explosion at the Consol number 9 mine near Farmington, West Virginia. This explosion resulted in the death of scores of miners, including
Anthracite Coal Strike in Pennsylvania – 1922Anthracite Coal Strike in Pennsylvania – 1922
One hundred years ago an anthracite coal strike was in full force in the Pennsylvania coal fields, after coal operators in the state rejected UMW demands on wage rates, hours,
General John D. ImbodenGeneral John D. Imboden
Lawyer, politician, Confederate general, land developer, promoter of coal and the founder of the town of Damascus, Virginia. All these jobs were held by one man for whom a mine
Good TroubleGood Trouble
In 1965 a Kentucky widow managed to drive the coal company from her land with what was called a “sit-in,” an early use of peaceful civil disobedience in Appalachia. Today
The Body of Edward Wentz Found – May 9. 1904The Body of Edward Wentz Found – May 9. 1904
On this day in 1904 the body of E. L. Wentz was found a mile from Kellyview, Virginia, near Big Stone Gap, by a boy helping look for missing cattle
Hominy Falls Mine Disaster – May 6, 1968Hominy Falls Mine Disaster – May 6, 1968
On this day in 1968 a worker operating a continuous mining machine in a mine owned by the Gauley Coal and Coke Company accidentally drilled into an abandoned mine shaft
Eccles No. 5 Mine Explosions – April 28, 1914Eccles No. 5 Mine Explosions – April 28, 1914
On this day in 1914 the second worst mine disaster in West Virginia, after the Monongah explosion in 1907, occurred at the Eccles No. 5 mine in Eccles, West Virginia.
UMW District 17 Formed – April 21, 1890UMW District 17 Formed – April 21, 1890
On January 25th, 1890, the United Mine Workers union was formed at a convention in Columbus, Ohio. The new union was formed by the merger of two older unions, the
Mine Explosion At Barrackville Mine No. 41 – March 17, 1925Mine Explosion At Barrackville Mine No. 41 – March 17, 1925
On this day in 1925 an explosion ripped through Bethlehem Mines’ Barrackville mine number 41 near Fairmont, West Virginia. 34 men were trapped in the mine by the blast. There