Coketon in Tucker County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Reclaiming the Future

Cleanup in Progress

Photographed By Tom Bosse, July 7, 2022

1. Reclaiming the Future Marker

Inscription.
The last underground coal mine closed in the early 1950s, leaving a legacy of acid mine drainage, abandoned industrial structures, coke ovens, and debris.

A major reclamation effort was conducted by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection in the 1990s. This effort cleaned up exposed mining waste and industrial debris. Reclamation engineers created new drainage systems and silt controls, restored damaged wetlands, reseeded grass, planted trees and re-contoured the hillsides on both sides of the river.

The Monongahela National Forest acquired a portion of the property along the rail grade and has recommended its listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The Coketon Industrial Site is one of many historic properties located along the Allegheny Highlands Trail.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Horticulture & Forestry • Industry & Commerce.

Location. 39° 7.927′ N, 79° 30.941′ W. Marker is in Coketon, West Virginia, in Tucker County. Marker is on Rail Falls Road (County Road 27/3) 0.4 miles south of Douglas Road (County Road 27), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1291 Rail Falls Rd, Thomas WV 26292, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are

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within walking distance of this marker. Creating Coke, Created More Than Smoke (a few steps from this marker); From Coal to Coke (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mine Portal No. 29 (approx. 0.4 miles away); Douglas, W. Va. (approx. 0.4 miles away); Black Fork Grade (approx. 0.4 miles away); Coketon Colored School (approx. 0.8 miles away); Engineering Building (approx. 0.8 miles away); The Company Store (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Coketon.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Photographed By Tom Bosse, July 7, 2022

2. Reclaiming the Future Marker

Marker is on the right.

Photographed By Tom Bosse, July 7, 2022

3. Coke Oven

Coke Oven Ceiling - As Seen From Inside image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tom Bosse, July 7, 2022

4. Coke Oven Ceiling - As Seen From Inside

Photographed By Tom Bosse, July 7, 2022

5. Coke Oven

Credits. This page was last revised on November 15, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 11, 2022, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 92 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 11, 2022, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.