Idamay, West Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Idamay, West Virginia
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Census-designated place (CDP)
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Location in Marion County and the state of West Virginia.
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| Country | United States |
| State | West Virginia |
| County | Marion |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.882 sq mi (2.28 km2) |
| • Land | 0.881 sq mi (2.28 km2) |
| • Water | 0.001 sq mi (0.003 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,178 ft (359 m) |
| Population
(2010)
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| • Total | 611 |
| • Density | 692.7/sq mi (267.5/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
26576
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| Area code(s) | 304 & 681 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1554762 |
Idamay is a small community in Marion County, West Virginia, United States. It is known as a census-designated place (CDP). Idamay is located about 1 mile (1.6 km) south of Farmington. It has its own post office with ZIP code 26576. In 2010, about 611 people lived in Idamay.
Contents
History of Idamay
Idamay got its name from Ida May Watson. She was the daughter of James Otis Watson, who helped start a big company called Consolidation Coal. Ida May's sister, Caroline, was married to Aretas Fleming, who was a governor of West Virginia.
Building a Coal Town
In 1915, Consolidation Coal started building the Idamay coal mine. As the mine grew, many "company houses" were built for the workers and their families. Some houses were built right there, while others were moved from mines that had closed in Pennsylvania.
By 1917, the mine was fully working. It brought a railroad, many workers, and a complete town. Miners and their families had a recreation hall, a company store, a good school, and community gardens. They also enjoyed concerts and picnics. Doctors and nurses were always available. A street car system made it easy to travel to nearby cities like Fairmont and Mannington.
The "Ida Mae Fence Busters"
During the 1920s and 1930s, Idamay was famous for its championship baseball team. They were called the "Ida Mae Fence Busters." This team played in a league for miners. Other mine teams and even professional baseball teams from all over the country came to try and beat them. Most of the time, they failed!
Changes Over Time
In the early 1950s, Bethlehem Coal bought the mine. They renamed it Bethlehem #44. This mine was one of the first to use a new way to support the mine roof, called a roofing bolt system. It became a model for other new mines.
As workers joined unions and "mine scrip" (special money used only at company stores) disappeared, Bethlehem started selling the company houses to the miners. To keep the community strong, the Idamay Improvement Association was started in 1953. This group made rules for how the town would grow and be maintained. When Bethlehem closed the mine in 1971, much of the land was given to this Association. The Idamay Improvement Association still helps manage the town today.
Images for kids
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Idamay postmark
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A train loaded with coal from Idamay, West Virginia.
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The bottom of the mine shaft in Idamay, West Virginia.
