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 Sub-bituminous coal is a lower grade of coal that contains 35–45% carbon. The properties of this type are between those of lignite, the lowest grade of coal, and those of bituminous coal, the second-highest grade of coal. Sub-bituminous coal i ...

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 mill A steel mill or steelworks is an industrial plant for the manufacture of steel. It may be an integrated steel works carrying out all steps of steelmaking from smelting iron ore to rolled product, but may also be a plant where steel semi-finish ...

s. 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 Norfolk ( ) is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. Incorporated in 1705, it had a population of 238,005 at the 2020 census, making it the third-most populous city in Virginia after neighboring Virginia Be ...

for trans-shipment to eastern US ports and overseas. Coking on the site was eventually discontinued, and the mine

spoil pile Spoil or spoils: *Plunder taken from an enemy or victim *Material (such as rock, earth or other overburden) removed during: **excavation ** mining **dredging *An Australian rules football tactic, see One percenter (Australian rules football)#Spoi ...

covers the area where the beehive ovens were located. Only three oven ruins remain, overgrown with trees. and 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. (this version at Virginia DHR includes topographical map identifying mine location)

References

External links

Pocahontas Mine No. 1, Tazewell County, one photo at Virginia DHR
{{authority control Historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Virginia Industrial buildings and structures on the National Register of Historic Places in Virginia National Historic Landmarks in Virginia Buildings and structures in Tazewell County, Virginia Museums in Tazewell County, Virginia Mining museums in the United States Industry museums in Virginia National Register of Historic Places in Tazewell County, Virginia 1882 establishments in Virginia

See also

References

External links