Wheelwright mine was opened by the Elkhorn Coal Corp. in the 1910s. In 1930 the Inland Steel Company of Indiana Harbor, Indiana, purchased the Wheelwright mines and coal camp to provide coal for their coke ovens. At this time Wheelwright got a "makeover" with some new buildings in an architecturally historic style. After Inland's purchase, the quality of life became higher at Wheelwright than in most other coal company towns. Residents enjoyed a modern company store, hospital, movie theatre, golf course, churches, and schools for white and black children. Independent businesses were also present for mining families to patronize. Inland modernized the company housing with indoor plumbing and natural gas, and constructed a water filtration plant. At some point, the Wheelwright mines became unionized. The famous Elkhorn No. 3 seam of coal was mined, which was less than 1% sulfur at this location. In 1965 Inland Steel sold their Wheelwright-area properties to Island Creek Coal Co., beginning their gradual decline.
Circa 1940 American Mining Congress imageCoal miners at the end of their shift waiting for the mantrip to pick them up and take them back outside at Wheelwright.1940s image from "A Medical Survey of the Bituminous Coal Industry" via the National ArchivesHand loading in what looks like a 42-inch section of the Wheelwright mine.Nov. 2006 image by authorCompany houses in Wheelwright, KY.Nov. 2006 image by authorHere are some of the remaining buildings that Inland Steel Co. either constructed or remodeled in 1941. They were in the center of Wheelwright.Nov. 2006 image by authorOne of the buildings at Wheelwright, pictured here, was once the clubhouse. The owner had allowed this unique and historic structure to fall into ruin.Nov. 2006 image by authorSteps running up the hill in the heart of the Wheelwright coal camp.2014 image by Lynden Spears via FacebookWheelwright mine portals.Nov. 2006 image by authorWhen the coal reserves of the Wheelwright mines became depleted, Inland Steel developed a new coal mine a few miles away in Price, KY, in 1951. The mine closed in 1991, but these remnants of the coal processing complex remain.Nov. 2006 image by authorMost of the preparation plant at Price, KY, has been demolished, but this small portion of it, along with the refuse conveyor running up the mountain, is still in existence.Nov. 2006 image by authorThe former offices of the Inland Steel Price Mine. In 1965 Inland Steel sold their Wheelwright-Price properties to Island Creek Coal Co.1940s image from "A Medical Survey of the Bituminous Coal Industry" via the National ArchivesWheelwright coal miners waiting for the mantrip to take them into the mine.1940s image from "A Medical Survey of the Bituminous Coal Industry" via the National ArchivesAerial tramway taking coal refuse to a burning slate dump.1940s image from "A Medical Survey of the Bituminous Coal Industry" via the National ArchivesWorking on a Joy loader.1940s image from "A Medical Survey of the Bituminous Coal Industry" via the National ArchivesWheelwright residents hanging out in the soda fountain.
