Chauncey in Athens County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Coal Mining in Chauncey

Photographed by Craig Doda, April 19, 2025

1. Coal Mining in Chauncey Marker

Inscription. In 1838, two capitalists from Philadelphia moved to southeastern Ohio and partnered with Thomas Ewing and Samuel Vinton to purchase a salt mining company nearby from Resolved Fuller. The settlement was named Chauncey in honor of one of the capitalists, Elihu P. Chauncey. These initial mines would become an important part of the history of Chauncey, and the extracted resources of salt, and later coal, would power the growing United States. In the late 1890s and into the early 20th Century, coal mining would boom here in Chauncey as part of the rich coalfields of the Hocking Valley. The Strike of 1932 would bring labor disputes, explosions, fires, shootings, and the National Guard to town. The last mine closed permanently in 1952, which residents remarked brought an eerie silence to the community. The area where the Chauncey Community Park and Baileys Trail System's Chauncey-Dover Trailhead are today was the actual site of that New York Coal Company coal mine, known under other names like the Baileys Coal Mine, Chauncey Coal Mine, and Mine 25, or 255. The large tipple would have been right near this spot. The coal shaft was

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nearby with gob piles and references to the area's industrial past dotting the landscape. Down the paved bike path connector, you can still see the remains of the historic mining buildings associated with this location. You can use the Invisible Ground app to see the coal mine tipple, railroad, and historic images nearby that are marked.

Erected by Invisible Ground, Southeast Ohio History Center.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Labor Unions • Natural Resources. A significant historical year for this entry is 1838.

Location. 39° 24.227′ N, 82° 7.778′ W. Marker is in Chauncey, Ohio, in Athens County. It is at the intersection of West Bailey Road and Converse Street, on the right when traveling east on West Bailey Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8433 W Bailey Rd, Chauncey OH 45719, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Hocking Hills.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Ohio River Valley,

in Appalachia,

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

Photographed by Craig Doda, April 19, 2025

2. Coal Mining in Chauncey Marker

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Clean Energy Generated By Our Solar Panels Will Save Both Money & The Planet (a few steps from this marker); Chauncey Civil War Patriots (within shouting distance of this marker); Dover Township Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.7 miles away); Athens County Infirmary (approx. 0.9 miles away); Home of Joe Burrow (approx. 1.6 miles away); Wolfe Plains Adena Mound Group (approx. 1.7 miles away); Hartman (George Connett Mounds) Mound (approx. 1.7 miles away); Snake Ridge Lookout Tower (approx. 2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chauncey.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 25, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 304 times since then and 86 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 25, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 2. submitted on May 11, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.