Several years ago, I undertook a meandering journey through the Winding Gulf coalfield in West Virginia, delving into the history of this once-vibrant region. The Winding Gulf coalfield experienced rapid development in the early 20th century, driven by the establishment of deep underground mines that demanded a substantial workforce, including thousands of miners and their families.
The coal extracted from the Winding Gulf was characterized by low volatility, making it particularly suitable for coking in steel mills and early coal power plants. Initial mining operations in the Beckley seam commenced in the early 1900s, and upon its depletion in the 1950s, companies transitioned to the exploitation of the Pocahontas No. 3 and No. 4 seams.
My journey led me to the former company town of Glen Rogers in Wyoming County, home to some of the largest mines and the Virginian Railway system, as well as some of the deadliest mines in the United States. In 1960, the community was profoundly shocked when Old Ben Coal of Chicago declared bankruptcy, abruptly ceasing operations at Glen Rogers. The mismanagement of the mine, the use of outdated and second-hand equipment, and a disregard for miner safety led to over 130 preventable deaths during the mine’s operation. Despite these fatal shortcuts in a thriving economy, the mine ultimately failed.
Compounding the hardships, Glen Rogers residents were compelled to part with their meager possessions to vacate the town. The company, asserting ownership of the town, refused to sell homes to the residents and declined offers for its commercial properties and extensive land holdings for alternative developments.
By 1965, Glen Rogers had transformed into a ghost town.
Glen Rogers High School, erected in 1951 to replace an earlier structure, served the community until 1992, when declining enrollment prompted the closure. In 2013, arson damage led to the demolition of much of the complex.
Near Glen Rogers, the Trap Hill School in the Surveyor community operated until the 2000s when a new facility was established. The school was subsequently demolished in 2013.
During my exploration through the coalfields of West Virginia, the profound impact of the region’s industrial history became unmistakably evident. The journey unearthed the harsh realities of mining communities, such as Glen Rogers, where the echoes of economic prosperity were dampened by the tragic consequences of mismanagement and disregard for worker safety. The demise of once-thriving towns like Glen Rogers serves as a downtrodden chapter in the broader narrative of the Appalachian mining legacy.
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