This mansion, once home to one of the last coal barons, now stands abandoned on a mountaintop in eastern Kentucky.
This mansion, once home to one of the last coal barons, now stands abandoned on a mountaintop in eastern Kentucky.
Don Blankenship, a prominent and controversial figure in the coal industry, rose to prominence as the CEO of Massey Energy Company, one of the largest coal producers in the United States. 3 Blankenship’s tenure at Massey, from 2000 to 2010, was marked by aggressive cost-cutting measures, labor disputes, and significant political influence, particularly in West Virginia and elsewhere in Appalachia. Known for his staunch opposition to environmental regulations and union activities, Blankenship became a polarizing symbol of the coal industry’s practices and challenges.
His career, however, became overshadowed by the 2010 Upper Big Branch Mine disaster in Montcoal, West Virginia, which claimed the lives of 29 miners. 4 Investigations revealed a pattern of safety violations at the mine, leading to allegations that Massey Energy prioritized production over worker safety. Federal prosecutors charged Blankenship with conspiracy to violate mine safety standards and defraud the federal government. In 2015, he was convicted of a misdemeanor charge of conspiring to willfully violate mine safety laws and sentenced to one year in prison. 1 Although the conviction was less severe than the felony charges sought, it was unprecedented for a coal executive.
Blankenship continued to court controversy after his release, running unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in West Virginia in 2018 as a Republican and later as a third-party candidate. 2 His campaign was marked by combative rhetoric, including accusations against political opponents and unsubstantiated corruption claims. The campaign was also conducted from Blankenship’s primary residence in Henderson, Nevada—a mansion he purchased in 2016, shortly before beginning his prison sentence. 5 Despite his attempts to position himself as a champion of Appalachian interests, Blankenship’s legacy remains divisive. To some, he represents the excesses of corporate power in the coal industry; to others, he is a scapegoat for broader systemic failures.




















A symbol of Blankenship’s legacy remains atop a mountain in eastern Kentucky. The faux-Victorian mansion, originally built for the coal baron, is a testament to his influence in the region. The property was sold some years ago, and while the mansion now sits empty, the land has become part of the Brothers Wright Distilling Company estate.
Blankenship’s career and legal battles have impacted discussions about coal mining, labor safety, and corporate accountability in Appalachia. His case highlights the tension between economic development and worker protection in an industry central to the region’s identity and economy.
Sources
- “Donald Blankenship Sentenced to a Year in Prison in Mine Safety Case.” New York Times, 7 Apr. 2016.
- Sganga, Nicole. “Politics Don Blankenship’s Senate bid ended by West Virginia Supreme Court.” CBS News, 30 Aug. 2018.
- Berkes, Howard. “Former CEO Indicted For Alleged Role In Deadly Mine Disaster.” NPR, 13 Nov. 2014.
- Berkes, Howard. “Report Blasts Massey For ‘Deviance’ In Safety Culture.” NPR, 19 May 2011.
- Gabriel, Trip, and Stephanie Saul. “West Virginia candidate lives in Henderson and mulled Chinese citizenship.” New York Times, 27 Apr. 2018.
I was employed by several different companies under Blankenship. He created bonus for no lost time accidents. I was one who received many until l was forced into retirement by two supervisors that created a hostile work environment and a war with MHSA. The pictures are the training center for A T Massey it was never a home for anyone.