Pocahontas Mine No. 1
About this property
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. 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.
Location
Categories
Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).
Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
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This page lists Pocahontas Mine No. 1. A full Aubrey report for an address near it pulls together this listing alongside battlefield records, land patents, and every other historical record within a chosen radius:
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Questions about this property
When was Pocahontas Mine No. 1 listed on the National Register?
Pocahontas Mine No. 1 was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 11, 1994.
What type of historic resource is Pocahontas Mine No. 1?
Pocahontas Mine No. 1 is classified as a district in the National Register of Historic Places.
Is Pocahontas Mine No. 1 a National Historic Landmark?
Yes. Pocahontas Mine No. 1 has been designated a National Historic Landmark (NHL), the highest level of federal recognition for historic properties in the United States.
What is the period of significance for Pocahontas Mine No. 1?
The period of significance for Pocahontas Mine No. 1 is recorded as the industrial era.
Can I research the history near Pocahontas Mine No. 1?
Yes. Aubrey Research reports search National Register listings, battlefield records, land patents, and other primary historical sources within any radius of a US address. A report for an address near Pocahontas Mine No. 1 will include this listing and all other historical records in the area.
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