DUO, WV
Duo is located in Big Clear Creek Valley. It was originally a farmstead for two families, hence
the name Duo. Later, brothers Thomas and John Raine came to Fayette and Greenbrier Counties looking for timber and coal lands. When they purchased
most of the Duo farm they kept the name. Development of the Duo coal camp and coal mine by the Raine Lumber & Coal Co. probably began in 1928-29,
and Raine shipped the first coal in 1933. Mining was in the Sewell seam of coal, and the mines were closed in 1958.
In the 1960's Duo Coals, Inc. mined at Duo. From 1987 until 1989 Thurman Coal operated a small deep mine on the hill above Duo. In the 21st Century
a few people are still calling Duo home. Most of the original company houses are still extant, but I couldn't find any remnants of the tipple or mine,
only BIG reclaimed strip mine lands.
An aerial view of Duo. With only about 20 homes Duo was a relatively small coal camp. Most of the homes are still in existence, though.
Remaining coal camp homes at Duo.
Larger two story company houses originally built for
mine formen.
Looking down a street in Duo with houses for foremen on the
left and houses for miners on the right.
This was the boarding house, or "club house."
Duo baptist church.
Remains of coal mining at Duo.
Image from Willis Franco via Bill Richmond
April 2001 image by author
2006 image by BHS Environmental via FWS
2006 image by BHS Environmental via FWS
2006 image by BHS Environmental via FWS
2006 image by BHS Environmental via FWS
1996 State Historic Preservation Office image