Hollygrove, West Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hollygrove, West Virginia
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 Hollygrove, West Virginia
Location in West Virginia
Hollygrove, West Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | West Virginia |
| County | Kanawha |
| Elevation | 646 ft (197 m) |
| Population
(2000)
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| • Total | 55 |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP codes |
25103
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| Area code(s) | 304 or 681 |
| GNIS ID | 1540400 |
| Hollygrove was once called tent city. Coal miners lived in tents and worked hard to provide for what little they made. The miners had enough and started the coal mine wars. The term "red neck" comes from the miners wearing red bandanas around their necks during the war. The bull moose special was the train that ran the coal out of the town. One night they mounted a Gatling gun on the train and opened fire on the miners. | |
Hollygrove is a small, unincorporated community located in Kanawha County, West Virginia, in the United States. An unincorporated community means it's a recognized place, but it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. It's known for its important role in the history of coal mining in West Virginia.
Contents
The History of Hollygrove
Hollygrove has a rich history, especially connected to the coal mining industry. Many years ago, it was a busy place where coal miners lived and worked.
Life as a Coal Miner
In the early days, Hollygrove was sometimes called "Tent City." This was because many coal miners and their families lived in tents. They worked very hard in the coal mines, often for low pay. Life was tough, and they faced many challenges just to earn enough to live.
The Coal Mine Wars
The difficult working conditions and low wages eventually led to big problems between the miners and the coal companies. Miners wanted better pay and safer working conditions. This led to a series of conflicts known as the Coal Mine Wars. These were times of great tension and sometimes violence, as miners fought for their rights.
The "Red Neck" Story
During the Coal Mine Wars, many miners wore red bandanas around their necks. This was a way to show they were united and fighting for their cause. Because of this, people started calling them "red necks." This term originally came from these brave miners who stood up for themselves.
The Bull Moose Special
One famous event during this time involved a train called the "Bull Moose Special." This train was usually used to carry coal out of the town. However, during the conflicts, it was used in a very different way. One night, a special type of machine gun, called a Gatling gun, was put on the train. It was then used to fire at the miners. This was a very serious event in the history of the coal mine wars.
Hollygrove Today
Today, Hollygrove is a quiet community. It reminds us of the important history of coal mining and the struggles of the workers who helped build West Virginia. While it's a small place, its past tells a big story about American history.
