There were two coal camps at Worth - Indian Ridge Coal & Coke Company, and Roanoke Coal & Coke Company. Both of them opened in the 1890s. In addition to coal mining, both mines operated beehive coke works. Roanoke's coke ovens shut down in 1919, and Indian Ridge's a year later. Roanoke coal production ended in 1930. In later years the Indian Ridge was reported as United Pocahontas Coal Co. production. In the 1960s United Pocahontas stripped the coal outcrop in Bearwallow Hollow.
Apr. 2014 image by author
Still inhabited coal camp houses.
Apr. 2014 image by author
Another, probably newer style of company houses. Note the brick "coal houses" in front of the homes, as well as the masonry stream enclosure.
Apr. 2014 image by author
Perhaps these houses were built by a different coal company than the first photo, although they are right down the creek from each other.
Apr. 2014 image by author
Larger homes at Worth may have been for foremen or company officials.
Apr. 2014 image by author
Slate dump remaining at Worth.
Image source forgotten
Roanoke Coal & Coke Co. mine at Worth.
Apr. 2022 image by author
Stone wharf wall remaining from the Indian Ridge coke ovens. Arrow points to an old Norfolk & Western steam locomotive water tender that has served as a water tank for residents of this hollow for many years.
Apr. 2022 image by author
Stone and masonry culvert over Bearwallow branch with an inscription reading, "1914."
Apr. 2022 image by author
An old industrial building that could have been from the mine, but was probably built by Norfolk & Western Railway.
Apr. 2022 image by author
The vault from the Roanoke Coal & Coke Company store.
Apr. 2014 image by author
Worth / Bear Wallow is a very remote community located at the back of a narrow hollow deep in Appalachia.
Sources:
Schust, Alex P. Billion Dollar Coalfield. Two Mule Publishing, 2010.
Davis, Jeffrey B, WV SHPO. West Virginia Historic Property Inventory Form, Indian Ridge Coal Company, Indian Ridge Mine Facility. 2005
