Hot Coal, West Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hot Coal
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Coal Scrip, from and used in Hot Coal, West Virginia
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 Hot Coal
Location in West Virginia
Hot Coal
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | West Virginia |
| County | Raleigh |
| Elevation | 1,988 ft (606 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 1554748 |
Hot Coal, sometimes spelled Hotcoal, was once a small community in Raleigh County, West Virginia, United States. It was known as an "unincorporated community," which means it didn't have its own local government like a city or town. Hot Coal was also a "coal town," meaning it was built because of the nearby coal mines.
What Was Hot Coal?
Hot Coal was located along the Winding Gulf Creek. It was originally called Patterson. Later, its name was changed to Hot Coal. This community was just past another place called Big Stick on County Route 3/2.
A Town Built on Coal
Hot Coal was an important part of the Winding Gulf Coalfield. This area was famous for its rich coal deposits. The community's name, "Hot Coal," actually came from the quality of the coal found there. It was a way to advertise that the coal burned very hot! Another nearby community, Fireco, also has a name that hints at the heat of coal.
Mining History
From 1925 to 1944, a huge amount of coal was mined in Hot Coal. Records show that over 1.5 million tons of coal were dug up during those years. This shows how important coal mining was to the community.
What Happened to Hot Coal?
Today, the community of Hot Coal no longer exists as it once did. However, some parts of its history remain. For example, the Winding Gulf Bank used to be in Hot Coal. This bank later moved to Beckley on January 1, 1914, and is now known as the National Bank at Beckley. Hot Coal also had its own Post Office at one point.
