Coal History Pins and Buttons

Former U.S. Coal and Coke Company offices in Gary WV, McDowell County WV

Coal and coke merchant, Beamish

This was a church school, that had been turned in to apartments for miners working a local mine. When the mine closed,the apartments were abandoned,Gary WV

On the roof of the abandoned coal company store in Boissevain Virginia. Probably not the safest of places to shoot,but sometimes you have to go look.

A group of coal breaker boys pose for a portrait. Woodward Coal Mines, Kingston, Pennsylvania. 1900.

History is Our Canary in the Coal Mine

Canary in the coal mine

Early steamships were very dangerous places. They were powered by giant steam boilers that needed to constantly have coal shoveled into them by teams of men. These boilers, if there was an accident could explode, releasing scalding steam which would burn to death anyone in the compartment. One such incident happened on the steamship thresher in the late 1800's. Many died, but one young man escaped to the deck, away from the deadly steam. However hearing the tortured cries of his fellow stokers from down below, he turned right back around and grabbed a fallen friend, saving him at the cost od 3rd-degree burns.

Oil painting by Carl Redin, 1934

London, Midland and Scotland (LMS) 12t Coal Wagon 472867

A former church school in Gary WV, it was converted to apartments for local miners,and then abandoned.

rows of old miners' lamps, Beamish

The freight yard and furnaces of the Tennessee Coal, Iron & Railroad Co.'s iron works. Ensley, Alabama. 1906.

Mining is a hard and dangerous life.

The sandstone arches of Australia’s oldest known large stone arch bridge have spanned Tasmania’s Coal River since its completion in 1825.

Coal tipple at the abandoned coal mining town of Nuttalburg WV

This is actually the 3rd floor of the abandoned Coalwood School. The lay off it,reminded me of some of the slightly less touristy Roman ruins.

Basement steps inside the abandoned Pocahontas Fuel Company building,Boissevain VA

Second floor landing inside the abandoned Coal Company Store in Boissevain VA

Historical Boissevain Baptist Church shot from the roof of the abandoned,Boissevain Coal Company Store

Interior second floor,abandoned company store in Itmann WV,someone has set up some kind of homeless,squatting camp for themselves in the corner. The contrast between the expensive turn of the last century woodworking,and the crude camp set up.

Steps down to the basement of the abandoned Keystone School

Abandoned coal tipple near Cucumber WV, McDowell County WV

Tree grown in to the wrought iron railing,front steps,Pocahontas Fuel Company,Boissevain VA

View of the doorway inside an abandoned power station from the early 20th century,McComas WV

Overgrown exit gate at the abandoned Pocahontas Fuel Company building,Boissevain Virginia

Interior of the abandoned Pocahontas Fuel Company building Boissevain VA

Skylight,abandoned Pocahontas Fuel Company building,Boissevain Virginia

Basement in the abandoned company store in Vivian WV

Interior of the abandoned Pocahontas Fuel Company,Boissevain VA

Interior,abandoned,power station,McComas WV

Interior of the abandoned Coal Company store in Boissevain Virginia

Boissevain Virginia,this was the storeroom safe across from the company store. The building with the safe was made of re-enforced concrete with gun slots like a World War 1 bunker. Time, abandonment,and human curiosity eventually won out though.

View of Iaeger WV across the Tug Fork river