UPPER POTOMAC COALFIELD

Although the West Virginia Geological Survey, and Phil Conley's "History of the West Virginia Coal Industry," lumps the Upper Potomac Coalfield in with the Elkins Coalfield, I am presenting it as a distinct coalfield, because 1) the USGS and most other states considered it a separate coalfield, 2) because it was primarily a Western Maryland Railway and not Coal & Coke Railway coalfield, and 3) because I can't image that people in Kitzmiller, Maryland feel any kinship with people in Burnsville, West Virginia.

The coalfield, which was named after the North Branch of the Potomac River that drains the region, occurs in both Maryland and West Virginia. Mining began in the 1880's, and was in the Lower Kittanning, and Upper Freeport coal seams, which are considered low volatile coals in this area. Lower Kittanning was known locally as the Davis seam, and Upper Freeport the Thomas coal. Also, the Pittsburgh (or "Big Vein") coal was mined through outcrops on the hills around Elk Garden. Davis Coal & Coke Co. was the largest coal operator in this field. Most of the Upper Potomac Coalfield was served by the Western Maryland Railroad, which intersected with the B&O near Keyser, WV. Some of the coal, however, was shipped to market on the C&O Canal. It was also considered advantageous to have coal properties in the Upper Potomac Coalfield because it was closer to the Virginia Tidewater shipping points than most other Appalachian coalfields.

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