Near Fayetteville in Fayette County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Working In a Coal Mine

— New River Gorge National River —

Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 25, 2021

1. Working In a Coal Mine Marker

Inscription. Imagine shoveling coal all day while balanced on your knees! In the coal mines of the gorge, the height of the mines corresponded to the height of the coal seam, in some cases just three feet tall. To loosen the coal, explosives were set of at the face of the seam. A miner would then load the dislodged coal into an empty car. Wages in the 1920s ranged from 48 to 70 cents per ton, and an average miner could load eight or nine tons a day.

On payday, many expenses such as rent, electricity, tools, and company store advances were deducted before a miner received his pay. After these deductions, he might still be in debt.

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Life in the coal mining towns wasn’t very different from other small towns at that time. Men worked in the mines, women managed household duties, and children went to school. Social life was often centered around the church, and games such as baseball allowed everyone to participate, whether as a player or as a fan.

Erected by U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Natural Resources.

Location. 38° 3.93′ N,

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81° 4.762′ W. Marker is near Fayetteville, West Virginia, in Fayette County. It is on a day-use area parking lot near Fayette Station Road (County Route 82). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fayetteville WV 25840, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the New River Gorge

and in Greater Charleston Area.

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: The Right for Safety and Equality (a few steps from this marker); A Trip Back In Time (a few steps from this marker); Natural Renewal (within shouting distance of this marker); Townsend’s Ferry (within shouting distance of this marker); Enduring Beauty (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Tale of Two Towns (about 700 feet away); A Vital Link

Working In a Coal Mine, left, and The Right for Safety and Equality, right image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 25, 2021

2. Working In a Coal Mine, left, and The Right for Safety and Equality, right

The two interpretive panels flank an informational panel about the New River Gorge National River Fayette Station day use area.

(about 700 feet away); Growth of an Era (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fayetteville.

More about this marker. Four uncaptioned photographs illustrate this interpretive panel. Centered is a miner likely headed to work dressed in overalls, wearing a miner's hat and lantern, and holding his lunch bucket under his arm. On the left is a photograph of a group of miners, faces blackened by coal dust. On the right two photographs, one of a wooden house on stilts perched on the side of the road with three people walking towards the photographer; and a second of baseball players posing for the camera.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 14, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 14, 2021, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 283 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 14, 2021, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.