NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Coalwood, West Virginia

History

Coalwood was founded by George L. Carter in 1905. He came on the back of a mule and eventually found rich seams of coal, and bought 20,000 acres (80 km²). He constructed a mine, calling it the Carter Coal Company and built offices, houses, a schoolhouse, a company store, a church and many more. Carter hired a dentist and doctor to provide service to his miners. Bituminous coal Bituminous coal is a relatively hard coal containing a tar-like substance called bitumen. ... A truck system is an exploitative form of employment — or, more specifically, unfree labour — under which workers are: paid in a form of limited direct credit or tokens, which may only be used at a company store, owned by their employers, or; paid in unexchangeable goods and/or services. ...

In 1922 Carter sold the mine and the town itself to Pittsburgh Consolidation Coal Company, which further improved the town, turning it into a nationally recognized model company town. Carter died in 1936 and the company was taken over by his son James, who in 1947 sold it to a group of industrialists who changed the company name to the Olga Coal Company. The Consolidation Coal Company was established in 1864 and headquartered in the city of Cumberland, Maryland for the first 85 years (1864-1945) where the company became the largest bituminous coal company in the eartern United States . ...

In 1956 the Coalwood mine was connected underground to the nearby Caretta mine, which was also owned by Olga, and in 1959 Olga ceased bringing coal to the surface via Coalwood. This prompted the Norfolk and Western Railway to begin pulling up the tracks leading to and from Coalwood. Caretta is an unincorporated community located in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. Caretta was named for the transposed syllables in the name of Mrs. ... The Norfolk and Western Railway (N&W) (AAR reporting marks NW), a US class I railroad, was formed by more than 200 railroad mergers between 1838 and 1982. ...

The Coalwood-Caretta mine continued to be productive through most of the 20th century, though, producing on average one million tons annually until the mine was finally closed.

Coalwood afterwards

Though mining became easy, it became hazardous because now more dust erupted from the coal and black lung disease became more of a problem, especially for the later mine foreman and superintendent, Homer Hickam, Sr., the father of Homer Hickam, Jr. Problems got worse for the company and the union when the steel company sold all Coalwood houses except for the Hickam household. Soon afterwards, another union strike started up, but was settled just before Homer won the science fair. Homer Sr. continued to work in the mine until his forced retirement at the age of 65, but he stayed on as a consultant until, soon after, his lungs gave out and he moved away to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina with his wife, where he died in 1989. The mine shut down, was filled up with water, and shafts turned off. People still live in Coalwood, but have to depend on other jobs to make ends meet. The town still has the old machine shops, clubhouses, and the notorious big store. However, they are off limits to the public and have many windows broken and spray paint graffiti written on them. The tipple has been dismantled and the site of the old abandoned mine is now fenced in with a car wash adjacent to it and a convenience store across the highway. Once a year, in October, there is an October Sky festival that is held there in honor of the accomplishments of the Rocket Boys. Many scientists and astronauts attend and Homer Hickam always makes an appearance. The October Sky Festival of 2007 was also representing the 50th anniversary of Sputnik, the first artificial satellite to go into orbit around the earth. Commemorating both events, an actor from the movie October Sky named Scott Miles was able to attend the festival, signing autographs and gracing the public with his presence. Pneumoconiosis is a lung condition caused by the inhalation of dust, characterized by formation of nodular fibrotic changes in lungs. ... Homer Hadley Hickam, Jr. ... Myrtle Beach is a city and in Horry County, South Carolina, United States. ... Official language(s) English Capital Columbia Largest city Columbia Largest metro area Columbia Area Ranked 40th - Total 34,726 sq mi (82,965 kmÂ²) - Width 200 miles (320 km) - Length 260 miles (420 km) - % water 6 - Latitude 32Â° 2â€² N to 35Â° 13â€² N - Longitude 78Â° 32â€² W to 83...

External links

Coalwood, West Virginia is at coordinates 37°23′14″N 81°39′09″W / 37.3873354, -81.6526087Coordinates: 37°23′14″N 81°39′09″W / 37.3873354, -81.6526087

v • d • e

Municipalities and communities of
McDowell County, West Virginia

County seat: Welch

Cities

Gary | Keystone | War | Welch Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ... McDowell County is a county located in the U.S. state of West Virginia. ... Official language(s) none (de facto English) Demonym West Virginian Capital Charleston Largest city Charleston Largest metro area Charleston metro area Area Ranked 41st in the US - Total 24,230 sq mi (62,755 kmÂ²) - Width 130 miles (210 km) - Length 240 miles (385 km) - % water 0. ... A county seat is a term for an administrative center for a county, primarily used in the United States. ... McDowell County Courthouse Welch is a town in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. The population was 2,683 at the 2000 census. ... For other uses, see City (disambiguation). ... Gary is a city located in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 917. ... Keystone is a city located in McDowell County, West Virginia. ... War is a city located in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 788. ... McDowell County Courthouse Welch is a town in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. The population was 2,683 at the 2000 census. ...

Towns

Anawalt | Bradshaw | Davy | Iaeger | Kimball | Northfork Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Ronda, Spain Main street in Bastrop, Texas, United States, a small town A town is a community of people ranging from a few hundred to several thousands, although it may be applied loosely even to huge metropolitan areas. ... Anawalt is a town located in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 272. ... Bradshaw is a town in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. The population was 289 at the 2000 census. ... Davy is a town in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. The population was 373 at the 2000 census. ... Iaeger is a town located in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 358. ... Kimball is a town in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. The population was 411 at the 2000 census. ... Northfork is a town located in McDowell County, West Virginia. ...

Unincorporated
communities

Algoma | Apple Grove | Asco | Ashland | Atwell | Avondale | Bartley | Beartown | Berwind | Big Four | Big Sandy | Bishop | Black Wolf | Bottom Creek | Canebrake | Capels | Caretta | Carlos | Carswell | Coalwood | Crumpler | Cucumber | Eckman | Elbert | Elkhorn | English | Ennis | Erin | Faraday | Filbert | Gilliam | Havaco | Hemphill | Hensley | Hull | Isaban‡ | Jacobs Fork | Jed | Jenkinjones | Johnnycake | Jolo | Kyle | Landgraff | Leckie | Lex | Lila | Litwar | Maitland | Maybeury | McDowell | Mohawk | Mohegan | Munson | Newhall | Pageton | Panther | Paynesville | Powhatan | Premier | Raysal | Ream | Rift | Rockridge | Roderfield | Rolfe | Sandy Huff | Six | Skygusty | Squire | Superior | Switchback | Thorpe | Twin Branch | Union City | Upland | Vallscreek | Venus | Vivian | Warriormine | Wilcoe | Worth | Yerba | Yukon This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Algoma is an unincorporated community in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. Algoma is located adjacent to the town of Northfork. ... Apple Grove is an unincorporated community located in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. Apple Grove is located along West Virginia Route 80 on the Dry Fork south of Iaeger. ... Asco is an unincorporated community located in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. Asco was originally known as Atlantic. ... // Ashland is an unincorporated community located in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. Ashland, West Virginia is in the Appalachia range. ... Atwell is an unincorporated community located in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. Atwell lies along the Norfolk and Western Railroad on the Dry Fork. ... Avondale is an unincorporated community located in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. Avondale lies along the Norfolk and Western Railroad on the Dry Fork. ... Bartley is an unincorporated community located in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. It lies along the Norfolk and Western Railroad on the Dry Fork. ... Beartown is an unincorporated community located in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. Beartown lies along the Norfolk and Western Railroad on Dry Fork. ... Berwind is a community in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. The town of Berwind is named for E.J. Berwind and it was later incorporated in 1905. ... Big Four is an unincorporated community located in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. Originally known as Cirrus, Big Four is reported to have been renamed for the four men who operated the coal mines in the area. ... Big Sandy is an unincorporated community located in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. The towns name comes from the Big Sandy River, a major tributary of the Ohio River which forms the boundary between West Virginia and Kentucky. ... Bishop is an unincorporated community located in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. Bishop lies on the Virginia state line at the intersection of West Virginia Route 16 and West Virginia Route 161. ... Black Wolf is an unincorporated community located in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. Black Wolf lies along the Norfolk and Western Railroad on the Tug Fork River. ... Bottom Creek is an unincorporated community located in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. Bottom Creek lies along U.S. Route 52 between the towns of Kimball and Vivian. ... Canebrake is an unincorporated community located in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. Canbrake was named for a thicket of canes in its vicinity. ... Capels is an unincorporated community on the Tug Fork River in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. Maps and aerial photos Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia Topographic map from TopoZone Aerial image or topographic map... Caretta is an unincorporated community located in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. Caretta was named for the transposed syllables in the name of Mrs. ... Carlos is an unincorporated community located in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. Carlos lies along the Norfolk and Western Railroad on the Dry Fork. ... Carswell is an unincorporated community located in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. Carswell lies to the north of the town of Kimball. ... Crumpler is an unincorporated town located in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. Maps and aerial photos Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia Topographic map from TopoZone Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA Categories... Cucumber is an unincorporated community in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. It was named either for Cucumber Creek or for the cucumber trees located there. ... Eckman is an unincorporated community in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. Eckman is located along U.S. Route 52 to the west of the city of Keystone. ... Elbert is an unincorporated community in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. Maps and aerial photos Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia Topographic map from TopoZone Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA Categories: | | ... Elkhorn is an unincorporated community in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. Elkhorn lies on U.S. Highway 52 and takes its name from the creek that flows through the community. ... English is an unincorporated community in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. English is located on U.S. Highway 52 along the Dry Fork. ... Ennis is an unincorporated community in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. Ennis lies on U.S. Route 52 west of Switchback. ... Erin is an unincorporated community in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. Erin is located on U.S. Route 52. ... Faraday is an unincorporated community in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. It lies just north of the border with Tazewell County, Virginia on County Route 9. ... Filbert is a community on Sandlick Creek in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. Parts of Filbert are incorporated into the City of Gary to its north. ... Gilliam is an unincorporated community on the North Fork River in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. It lies between Algoma and Rolfe along County Route 17. ... Havaco is an unincorporated community on the Tug Fork River in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. Thunder in the Mountains - The Havaco Story Maps and aerial photos Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia Topographic map... Hemphill is an unincorporated community on the Tug Fork River in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. It lies between Capels and Welch. ... Hensley is an unincorporated community on the Tug Fork River in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. According to the Geographic Names Information System, Hensley has also been known as Claren, Claren Station, and Hensley Claren. ... Hull is an unincorporated community in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. External links Maps and aerial photos Street map from Google Maps or Yahoo! Maps Topographic map from TopoZone Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA Satellite image from Google Maps or Microsoft Virtual Earth Categories: West Virginia geography... Isaban is an unincorporated community on Fourpole Creek in McDowell and Mingo counties in the U.S. state of West Virginia. ... Jenkinjones is an unincorporated community in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. It lies on the western flanks of Stone Ridge near the border with Tazewell County, Virginia. ... Jolo is an unincorporated community on West Virginia Route 83 in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. The community was made famous in the book Religion on Sand Mountain for being the home of The Church Of The Lord Jesus With Signs Following, a famous snake handling church. ... Landgraff is an unincorporated community on Elkhorn Creek in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. Landgraffs Empire Coal Company Store is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. ... Pageton is an unincorporated town in McDowell County, West Virginia. ... Originally named Collins ridge for the large number of residents with the surname Collins. ... Switchback is an unincorporated community in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. Switchback had its own high school in operation from 1923 to 1953. ... Yukon is an unincorporated community on Dry Fork in McDowell County, West Virginia, USA. It lies at the intersection of West Virginia State Routes 16 and 83. ...

Footnotes

‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

Categories: McDowell County, West Virginia | Unincorporated communities in West Virginia | Mining communities in West Virginia

Hidden categories: Cleanup from February 2008 | All pages needing cleanup | Articles lacking sources from April 2008 | All articles lacking sources

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Coalwood afterwards

External links

History