Another satellite town of Gary, WV, Filbert is located at the back of the hollow "behind" Ream
and Elbert, along Sandlick Creek. Unlike other U.S. Coal and Coke company towns around Gary, Filbert did not contain a beehive coke yard.
Mining at No. 9 began in 1908 in the 7'-5" Pocahontas No. 4 coal seam (+15,000 BTU). Eventually there was an East Side mine and a West Side mine. No. 9 operated only sporadically in the 1930s. Regular production resumed in 1939 and lasted until 1962. No. 9 mines, which in later years also included Pocahontas No. 3 seam production, reopened from 1966 until November 1986. Later, other smaller coal companies leased the coal reserves at No. 9.
Image courtesy of Sandy EtterAn italian immigrant named Carlo Columbia employed by U.S. Coal and Coke at No. 9 mine.Apr. 2006 image by authorOld structures remaining at the site of the old Gary No. 9 mine.Apr. 2006 image by authorThis shop building may date back to the US Coal and Coke/US Steel era.Apr. 2006 image by authorThis tipple was probably built after US Steel reopened No. 9 in 1966. Click here for high resolution image.Apr. 2006 image by authorHowever, these may be the ruins of the original Filbert tipple, along with a pile of railroad ties left when the track was pulled up.Apr. 2006 image by authorA conveyor support, also known as a "bent."Apr. 2006 image by authorThis flooded portal is also located at the Filbert coal processing site.Apr. 2006 image by authorSmall industrial building built by U.S. Coal and Coke.Apr. 2006 image by authorThe Filbert coal camp is claustrophobic because it is near the "back" of the drainage basin, in a v-shaped hollow with little room along the bottom.Apr. 2006 image by authorMany of the large company houses built by U.S. Coal and Coke in the early 1900s are still in sturdy condition.Apr. 2006 image by authorA new water tank behind vintage company houses that were built for officials of the coal company. One of them was the superintendent's house for No. 9.H.N. Eavenson pictureFilbert coal camp when it was new.Mar. 2022 image by authorA Roman Catholic church - St. Joseph's - existed at Filbert, W.Va. until 1974. The church bell, seen here, was preserved for posterity and is now displayed next to Our Lady of Victory Catholic church in Gary.Mar. 2022 image by authorOn the mountain above Filbert No. 9 can be found this cabin, which was originally the lodge for the Sand Lick Sportsmans' Club. The club was organized by one of U.S. Coal & Coke's company doctors. Land was leased from U.S. C.& C., who even had their draftsmen draw up plans, and the lodge was constructed in 1938 by volunteers. A caretaker's quarters was build behind the lodge.Mar. 2022 image by authorInside the main hall of the former Sand Lick Sportsmans' Club, which since 1991 has been named Miracle Mountain. The club faded away through the 1980s. People broke in and burned up all of the hardwood floors in the two big fireplaces. They even burned truck tires in the fireplaces. However, the lodge has been restored with plywood floors. The building is in good, restored condition. Miracle Mountain can be rented for private events.Mar. 2022 image by authorAnother view inside Miracle Mountain lodge.
Sources:
Schust, Alex P. Gary Hollow. Two Mule Publishing, 2005.
