Kimball in McDowell County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Carswell Mining Complex

Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 24, 2021

1. Carswell Mining Complex Marker

Inscription. Mining at Carswell, a mile north of Kimball, started in May 1914 and continued until the complex closed in 1965. The mines had a history of fatal accidents that resulted in the deaths of 65 men. Explosions at the vivian (1916), Kimball (1919) & Carswell (1941) mines claimed 23 lives. The mine complex was later abandoned, but the site has been reclaimed.

Erected 2012 by West Virginia Department of Abandoned Mine Lands, and West Virginia Archives and History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Industry & Commerce • Natural Resources. In addition, it is included in the West Virginia Archives and History series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1914.

Location. 37° 25.795′ N, 81° 30.529′ W. Marker is in Kimball, West Virginia, in McDowell County. It is on Carswell Hollow Road (Local Route 52/06) just north of Coal Heritage Road (U.S. 52), on the left when traveling north. It is at Koppers Stores, also known as Houston Coal Company Store, in its parking lot, facing the road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 13 King Carswell Rd, Kimball WV 24853, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Southern Coalfields.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Henrietta Dismukes Hospital and Nurses’ Home (approx. 0.2 miles away); Dr. Roscoe Conklin Harrison

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(approx. 0.2 miles away); Frederick Kimball (approx. ¼ mile away); Houston Company Store (approx. ¼ mile away); Kimball War Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); African Americans (approx. ¼ mile away); 2001 – 2002 Floods (approx. ¼ mile away); Coal Company Town (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kimball.

Carswell Mining Complex Marker at Koppers Store image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 24, 2021

2. Carswell Mining Complex Marker at Koppers Store

-13- Koppers Stores -13- image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 24, 2021

3. -13- Koppers Stores -13-

Wikipedia: The Houston Coal Company Store, also known as the Koppers Store, is an intact example of a coal company store, located at Carswell, West Virginia. The 1923 Italian Renaissance building possesses a detailed brick exterior and a clay tile roof, with skylights at the roof's peak. The store served a small mining community of Carswell, West Virginia, first for the Houston Coal Company and later for the Koppers Coal Company. Another store, now disappeared, served the upper end of the long hollow. The store is surrounded by an expansive lawn, bordered by a stream.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 3, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 3, 2021, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,328 times since then and 76 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 3, 2021, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.