Montcoal, West Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Montcoal, West Virginia
|
|
|---|---|
 Montcoal, West Virginia
Location in West Virginia
Montcoal, West Virginia
Location in the United States
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | West Virginia |
| County | Raleigh |
| Elevation | 938 ft (286 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| Area code(s) | 304 & 681 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1555151 |
Montcoal is a small, unincorporated community located in Raleigh County, West Virginia, United States. It is known as a coal town because of its history with coal mining. Montcoal is found along West Virginia Route 3, about 4.5 miles (7.2 km) south of a place called Whitesville.
Contents
Montcoal's Mining History
What is an Unincorporated Community?
Montcoal is an "unincorporated community." This means it does not have its own local government, like a mayor or a city council. Instead, it is managed as part of the larger Raleigh County. Many small communities in the United States are unincorporated.
Life in a Coal Town
For a long time, coal mining was the main industry in Montcoal. A "coal town" is a community where most people worked in or depended on the coal mines. These towns often grew up around the mines. The mines provided jobs and shaped the daily lives of the people living there.
The Upper Big Branch Mine Event
Montcoal was home to the Performance Coal Company. This company was part of a larger energy group. On April 5, 2010, a very serious event happened at the Upper Big Branch mine.
What Happened at the Mine?
Around 3:00 PM that day, a methane gas explosion occurred deep inside the mine. Methane is a natural gas that can be found in coal seams. If it builds up and there's a spark, it can explode. This explosion was a terrible accident.
Impact on the Community
The explosion at the Upper Big Branch mine had a huge impact on Montcoal and the surrounding areas. Sadly, 29 mine workers lost their lives. Two other workers were injured. This event was one of the worst mining accidents in recent U.S. history. It brought a lot of sadness to the community.
