Beckley in Raleigh County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Miner's House
Photographed by Bradley Owen, August 7, 2025
1. Miner's House Marker
A place to call home
This typical three room miner's house is an example of the simple, no-frills construction seen throughout the New River Gorge coal towns. Known as "Jenny Linds," these three to four room structures date from between 1925 and the 1940s. This house is from Sprague, WV, where it and the coal mine were owned by the New River Company.
Miners rented the house from the company and the rent would be deducted from their paycheck. Often, to make ends meet, the family would rent out beds in their home to single miners. Each house had its own outhouse in the back yard as there were no sewage facilities in the coal towns. Compare this house to the miner's shanty and the superintendent's house.
(Captions):
The house closest to the bottom of the above photograph is the Miner's house in its original location in Sprague, West Virginia. Photo courtesy of GEM Photography, George Bragg.
The miner's house being reconstructed at the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine.
Erected by Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1925.
Location. 37° 47.057′ N, 81° 11.792′
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in West Virginia’s New River Gorge. 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: Bachelors Shanty (a few steps from this marker); Coal Camp Church (a few steps from this marker); Raleigh County Coal Mines (within shouting distance of this marker); Dinky Locomotive (within shouting distance of this marker); The Phillips-Sprague Mine (within shouting distance of this marker); The Coal Camp (within shouting distance of this marker); The Slab Fork Coal Company (within shouting distance of this marker); Superintendent's House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Beckley.
Photographed by Bradley Owen, August 7, 2025
2. Miner's House Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 13, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 103 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 13, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.
