CAPELS, WV

Capels was operated by Central Pocahontas Coal Co. and later Semet-Solvay, which also operated coal mines at Kingston and Harewood, WV. Apparently the mine operated into the 1980s.

As this photo of the Capels coal camps illustrates, there is no place in McDowell County that someone won't put a house.

This style of two family duplex house is exclusive to the Capels coal camp.

Just enough room for a row of company houses

Historic coal mine sign defaced by sharpshooters

This mine office and shop building, along with part of the slate dump, were remanants of the Capels coal mine. The structues have been demolished when a landfill was constructed in Shannon Branch hollow.

A remining of the Capels slate dump between 2005 and 2010 writes the final chapter of coal mining in Capels, WV.

SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA COALFIELDS

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