Beckley in Raleigh County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Bachelor’s Shanty

By Charles T. Harrell, June 27, 2015

1. Bachelor’s Shanty Marker

Inscription. Room for one. From the coal camp in Helen, WV, this one room dwelling dates back to the early 1920s. It was built for and occupied by a single miner or a married miner living away from home while working in the coal mines during a work week. The married miner would return home to his family on the weekends. This simple space is a good example of getting by with the bare necessities. It is warm and dry with just enough space for a chair, stove, bed, and a few essentials. Compare this dwelling with the Miner’s House and the relatively lavish Superintendent’s House located nearby.

Picture caption:
Typical Coal Company housing showing a mix of homes and shantys. Photo courtesy of Mary Stevenson, Coal Towns of West Virginia, Vol. II.

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

Location. 37° 47.057′ N, 81° 11.801′ W. Marker is in Beckley, West Virginia, in Raleigh County. Marker can be reached from Ewart Avenue. Located on the walking path of the Beckley Exposition Coal Mine. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Beckley WV 25801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Superintendent's House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Beckley (approx. 0.6 miles away); Eccles Mine Explosions

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(approx. 0.6 miles away); Raleigh County (approx. 0.6 miles away); Upper Big Branch Mine Explosion (approx. 0.6 miles away); Civil War Site (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Attar Center (approx. 0.6 miles away); a different marker also named Beckley (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Beckley.

Additional keywords. Coal Mining

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 28, 2015, by Charles T. Harrell of Woodford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 277 times since then and 11 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on July 28, 2015, by Charles T. Harrell of Woodford, Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.