New River Coalfield facts for kids
The New River Coalfield is a special area in West Virginia, found in parts of Raleigh and Fayette counties. It's named after the New River, which flows north through the region. This area became very important for mining a type of rock called coal.
People started digging for coal here in the 1870s. The mining business grew a lot and was very busy throughout the 1900s. The coal found here is a special kind called "smokeless" coal. It's known for being very high quality. This coal is also called bituminous coal and can produce a lot of energy, about 15,000 BTUs.
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What is the New River Coalfield?
The New River Coalfield is a region in West Virginia where a lot of coal was mined. It covers parts of Raleigh and Fayette counties. The area is famous for its "smokeless" coal, which burns very cleanly. This made it very popular for heating homes and powering factories.
Miners dug out coal from different layers, or "seams," in the ground. Some of the main seams were called Sewell, Fire Creek, and Beckley. These seams held the valuable, high-energy coal.
Life in the Coal Towns
During the peak of mining, over 60 coal towns popped up in the New River Coalfield. These were often "company towns," meaning the mining companies owned most of the houses and stores. People lived and worked right there.
These towns were built along creeks like Dunloup Creek and Laurel Creek, and, of course, near the New River itself. Larger towns like Beckley, Oak Hill, Mount Hope, and Fayetteville served as shopping and business centers for the coalfield.
Who Worked in the Mines?
Mining companies needed many workers. They hired people from different backgrounds to work in the mines and on the railroads. This included local whites, immigrants from countries in Southern and Eastern Europe, and African-Americans from the Southern states. Everyone worked hard to dig and transport the coal.
The Role of Railroads
Railroads were super important for the coalfield. They carried the mined coal to other parts of the country. The main line of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway went right through the middle of the coalfield. Many smaller tracks, called "spurs," branched off from it to reach different mines.
Big rail yards were set up in places like Quinnimont, Raleigh, and Thurmond, WV. Another major railroad, the Virginian Railway, also passed through the western side of the coalfield. These railways were the lifeblood of the coal industry, moving millions of tons of coal.
Major Coal Companies
Many companies operated mines in the New River Coalfield. Some of the biggest ones were the New River Company, New River & Pocahontas Consolidated Coal Co., and Mary Frances Coal Co. But there were also many smaller companies working in the area. They all played a part in making West Virginia a leading coal producer.
The End of an Era
After World War II, many of the coal mines in the New River Coalfield started to close down. Over time, fewer and fewer mines were active. Today, only a few coal mines are still working in the area.
As the mines closed, many of the old company towns became empty. Over the years, nature has slowly taken back many of these places. Some have almost completely disappeared into the forests.
Today, the beautiful New River Gorge is protected by the National Park Service. It is now known as the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. The park service works to preserve the history of coal mining in the area. They help people learn about this important part of West Virginia's past.
