National Coal Heritage Area facts for kids
The National Coal Heritage Area (NCHA) is a special region in West Virginia. It covers thirteen counties that were very important for mining "smokeless" bituminous coal in the 1900s. This area helps to celebrate the history and culture of coal mining. It also works to bring tourists, protect old buildings, and help the local economy grow.
The idea for the NCHA came from Congressman Nick Rahall in the early 1990s. It was officially created on November 12, 1996. This happened through a law called the 1996 Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act. The NCHA includes these counties: Boone, Cabell, Fayette, Logan, Lincoln, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Raleigh, Summers, and Wayne.
The Story of Coal Mining in West Virginia
Coal mining in West Virginia started in the 1840s. Miners first worked with a type of coal called cannel coal in the Kanawha Valley. This early mining helped shape the region.
Important Coal Fields
The main coal fields in the National Coal Heritage Area are very famous. They include the New River, Winding Gulf, and Flat Top-Pocahontas coal fields. The Pocahontas No. 3 coal seam was the most valuable. It was known for its high quality.
Railroads and Big Companies
As more coal was mined, a large network of railroads was built. These railroads were essential for moving the coal. The main railway companies were the Chesapeake and Ohio, the Norfolk and Western, and the Virginian. The Norfolk and Western and Virginian railways were especially important for the Pocahontas and Winding Gulf fields.
Large industrial companies also bought huge areas of land. For example, U.S. Steel had a part of its company called U.S. Coal and Coke. This part controlled big sections of the Pocahontas coal field. Other companies like the New River Company and Winding Gulf Collieries managed their own coal regions. These companies played a huge role in the history of coal mining in West Virginia.
