Keepin’ the Lights On

Marion County Coal History

West Virginia’s mountainous terrain, impressive river valleys, and rich natural resources have all profoundly contributed to the history and culture of the Mountain State. Although coal was known to exist throughout much of West Virginia, no extensive mining took place until the mid-1800s. Since then, coal has been a strong driving force for our state’s economy and has dramatically impacted our way of life.

By 1860, many coal companies formed, and corporations developed under the laws of Virginia. Previously, there was little motivation to mine coal as a resource due to the abundance of wood in the state and the lack of manufacturing industries to support coal production.

National Miners Day is observed annually on December 6, commemorating the tragic December 6, 1907, explosions at the Fairmont Coal Company’s No. 6 and No. 8 mines in Monongah, West Virginia, which claimed the lives of 361 men and boys in the worst mining disaster in U.S. history.