MONONGAH, WV

This Marion County coal camp was the scene of the worst coal mining disaster in American history . On December 7, 1907 an explosion in the mine (in the Pittsburgh seam) caused the deaths of 361 coal miners, mostly immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe. The operator of the Monongah mine was the Fairmont Coal Company, actually a subsidiary of the Consolidation Coal Company.

Nov. 2004 image by author A section of the rather large coal camp. The closest one appears to have the original windows.

Nov. 2004 image by author A row of coal camp houses.

Nov. 2004 image by author Unlike may coal camps Monongah actually has a small commercial district. Note the vintage cast-iron lintel over the store building.

Nov. 2004 image by author This vintage shop building from the Monongah mines survived because CONSOL was still using it and surrounding structures as a central repair shop for their northern WV mines (Robinson Run, Loveridge, Blacksville No. 2 - all later owned by Murray Energy).

Nov. 2004 image by author Mining equipment to be repaired behind the repair shop.