Pocahontas Exhibition Coal Mine facts for kids
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Pocahontas Exhibition Coal Mine
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Mine portal
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 Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | Rt. 659, Reedsville Hollow Rd., Pocahontas, Virginia |
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| Built | 1883 |
| NRHP reference No. | 94001651 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 12, 1994 |
| Designated NHLD | October 12, 1994 |
The Pocahontas Exhibition Coal Mine is a historic coal mine located near Pocahontas, Virginia. It's also known as Pocahontas Mine No. 1 or the Baby Mine. This mine was very important because it was the first to open in the rich Pocahontas Coalfield back in 1882.
In 1938, it became the first coal mine in the United States that people could visit as an exhibition. For many years, visitors could even drive their cars right through the mine! This unique experience ended in 1970 because car exhaust started to damage the mine's roof.
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A Special Kind of Coal Mine
The Pocahontas Exhibition Coal Mine is famous for its history. It was a key part of America's industrial growth.
Driving Through the Mine
Imagine driving your car underground! That's what people could do at this mine. You would enter through one opening and drive out another. It was a very unusual way to see a coal mine. This special feature made the Pocahontas Mine a popular attraction. However, car fumes started causing problems. The exhaust gases were weakening the mine's ceiling. So, for safety, the car tours stopped in 1970.
Making Coke for Steel
This mine was also important for making something called coke. Coke is a special type of fuel made from coal. It's used to make steel. The coal from Pocahontas was perfect for making coke. This coke was then sent by train to places like Norfolk, Virginia. From there, it went to steel mills all over the eastern U.S. and even overseas. This helped build many things in America.
Over time, making coke at the mine stopped. Today, most of the old coke ovens are covered. Only three of the original "beehive" ovens can still be seen.
Did you know this mine helped the U.S. Navy? During both World War I and World War II, this mine supplied most of the coal for Navy ships. Pocahontas coal had a special quality: it was "smokeless." This meant ships using it produced very little smoke. This was a huge advantage for the Navy. Their ships could move without being easily spotted by enemies from far away. This helped the Navy stay hidden and gave them an edge in battles.
Why Mining Stopped
By the end of World War II, the amount of coal left in the "Baby Mine" was getting low. Also, new technology was changing how coal was mined. Fewer miners were needed to do the same amount of work. These changes led to the mine becoming an exhibition. Eventually, all coal mining in Pocahontas stopped in 1955.
A National Historic Landmark
Because of its important history, the Pocahontas Exhibition Coal Mine was named a National Historic Landmark in 1994. This means it's a place recognized for its national historical importance.
