Pocahontas Exhibition Coal Mine, also known as Pocahontas Mine No. 1, or Baby Mine, is an inactive coal mine in the Pocahontas Coalfield, in Pocahontas in western Virginia. The mine was the first in the sub-bituminous coal of the Pocahontas Coalfield, opening in 1882. In 1938 it became the first exhibition coal mine in the United States. Uniquely, it was possible to drive one's automobile through the mine, entering through the fan opening and exiting through the original entry. The practice continued until 1970, when it was discontinued due to damage to the roof of the mine from car exhaust.
The site is also notable for its history of coke production on site for transportation by rail to steel mills. Pocahontas coal was especially suitable for coking, and played a significant role in the industrial development of the United States. Coke and coal were shipped by rail to Norfolk, Virginia for trans-shipment to eastern US ports and overseas. Coking on the site was eventually discontinued, and the mine spoil pile covers the area where the beehive ovens were located. Only three oven ruins remain, overgrown with trees.[4]
This mine, when active, supplied the United States Navy a majority of its coal through both world wars. Its smokeless quality allowed ships to go undetected from distances, thus giving the Navy an advantage over enemies. By the end of the second world war, coal in the "baby mine" was waning. Technology was advancing and reducing the number of miners required to do the work and allowed for the creation of the exhibition mine. In 1955 mining ceased in Pocahontas altogether.
^ ab. National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2008.
^John W. Bond (October 22, 1993). "National Historic Landmark Nomination: Pocahontas Mine No. 1 / Baby Mine/Pocahontas Exhibition Mine" (pdf). National Park Service. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help) and Accompanying three photos, from 1993(32 KB)
^John W. Bond (October 22, 1993). "National Historic Landmark Nomination: Pocahontas Mine No. 1 / Baby Mine/Pocahontas Exhibition Mine" (PDF). National Park Service. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help) (this version at Virginia DHR includes topographical map identifying mine location)
External linksedit
Pocahontas Mine No. 1, Tazewell County, one photo at Virginia DHR
Pocahontas Exhibition Mine
January 01, 1970
pocahontas, exhibition, coal, mine, also, known, pocahontas, mine, baby, mine, inactive, coal, mine, pocahontas, coalfield, pocahontas, western, virginia, mine, first, bituminous, coal, pocahontas, coalfield, opening, 1882, 1938, became, first, exhibition, coa. Pocahontas Exhibition Coal Mine also known as Pocahontas Mine No 1 or Baby Mine is an inactive coal mine in the Pocahontas Coalfield in Pocahontas in western Virginia The mine was the first in the sub bituminous coal of the Pocahontas Coalfield opening in 1882 In 1938 it became the first exhibition coal mine in the United States Uniquely it was possible to drive one s automobile through the mine entering through the fan opening and exiting through the original entry The practice continued until 1970 when it was discontinued due to damage to the roof of the mine from car exhaust Pocahontas Exhibition Coal MineU S National Register of Historic PlacesU S National Historic Landmark DistrictVirginia Landmarks RegisterMine portalShow map of VirginiaShow map of the United StatesLocationRt 659 215 Shop Hollow Rd Pocahontas VirginiaCoordinates37 18 29 N 81 20 59 W 37 30806 N 81 34972 W 37 30806 81 34972Built1882NRHP reference No 94001651VLR No 092 0011 0284Significant datesAdded to NRHPOctober 12 1994 2 Designated NHLDOctober 12 1994 3 Designated VLRMarch 19 1997 1 The site is also notable for its history of coke production on site for transportation by rail to steel mills Pocahontas coal was especially suitable for coking and played a significant role in the industrial development of the United States Coke and coal were shipped by rail to Norfolk Virginia for trans shipment to eastern US ports and overseas Coking on the site was eventually discontinued and the mine spoil pile covers the area where the beehive ovens were located Only three oven ruins remain overgrown with trees 4 This mine when active supplied the United States Navy a majority of its coal through both world wars Its smokeless quality allowed ships to go undetected from distances thus giving the Navy an advantage over enemies By the end of the second world war coal in the baby mine was waning Technology was advancing and reducing the number of miners required to do the work and allowed for the creation of the exhibition mine In 1955 mining ceased in Pocahontas altogether It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1994 3 5 See also editPocahontas Historic District Tazewell County Virginia List of National Historic Landmarks in Virginia National Register of Historic Places listings in Tazewell County VirginiaReferences edit Virginia Landmarks Register Virginia Department of Historic Resources Retrieved June 5 2013 National Register Information System National Register of Historic Places National Park Service January 23 2007 a b Pocahontas Exhibition Coal Mine National Historic Landmark summary listing National Park Service Archived from the original on June 6 2011 Retrieved April 23 2008 John W Bond October 22 1993 National Historic Landmark Nomination Pocahontas Mine No 1 Baby Mine Pocahontas Exhibition Mine pdf National Park Service a href Template Cite journal html title Template Cite journal cite journal a Cite journal requires journal help and Accompanying three photos from 1993 32 KB John W Bond October 22 1993 National Historic Landmark Nomination Pocahontas Mine No 1 Baby Mine Pocahontas Exhibition Mine PDF National Park Service a href Template Cite journal html title Template Cite journal cite journal a Cite journal requires journal help this version at Virginia DHR includes topographical map identifying mine location External links editPocahontas Mine No 1 Tazewell County one photo at Virginia DHR Pocahontas Exhibition Mine Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Pocahontas Exhibition Coal Mine amp oldid 1169397501, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
