KINGMONT, W.VA.

The Virginia & Pittsburgh Coal & Coke Co. opened the Kingmont Mine in 1895 (some sources say 1891). Nearby they also owned the Morgan Mine. Coal mined here was sold under the trade name "Lincoln Coal," and it was suitable for thermal and gas purposes, and also to make coke. As a matter of fact, there were 67 beehive coke ovens at Kingmont.

Circa 1920 image from Keystone Coal Catalog via Google Books Photo showing the bridge across the Tygart River between the Kingmont Mine and the tipple and railroad.

2016 image by Mark Phillips Remaining bridge abutment and mine ruins.

2016 image by Mark Phillips These coal camp houses are still in existence at Kingmont.

2016 image by Mark Phillips Kingmont is one of the oldest extant coal company towns in W.Va.

2016 image by Mark Phillips Kingmont Methodist Church.

Mark also took photos of the abandoned underground Kingmont coal mine. I think this falls into the "Don't try this at home" catagory. Mark must know how to avoid roof falls and black damp, or else is lucky. But you might not be so lucky.

2017 image by Mark Phillips Looks like this section might have been rock dusted at one time.

2017 image by Mark Phillips Haulage track making a left turn - block seal in the background.

2017 image by Mark Phillips Remaining underground track and broken shale sealing off a mine room.

2017 image by Mark Phillips This must have been the main haulageway with steel roof supports and cribbing made from concrete blocks. Mark noted that there is some creative roof support design here. Must have been a "bad top."

2017 image by Mark Phillips Here are two types of underground coal cars. Dangerous roof falls abound.

2017 image by Mark Phillips An underground coal car. A trolly wire support is on the steel beam above.

2017 image by Mark Phillips Well, this timber support did support part of the roof at least. One wonders why the miner that set it left 6 or 8 inches of coal above it, and did not set the support against the shale roof.

2017 image by Mark Phillips Remains of a trapper door (for directing ventilation).

2017 image by Mark Phillips Rooms and tunnels through the Pittsburgh coal seam.

2017 image by Mark Phillips More intact timbers with unmined coal above them.

2017 image by Mark Phillips This section is still in good shape. Note the blocked off passageway. I think miners use plastic curtains now.