Algoma, WV | McDowell County Coal History

Algoma, W.Va. was established in 1890-91 by Algoma Coal & Coke Co.. I assumed that it was a subsidiary of Algoma Steel in Canada. However, the steel company didn't begin operation until 1902, so my assumption was incorrect. Not only was metallurgical coal mined at Algoma, but it was also coked in beehive coke ovens at the site. Believe it or not, Island Creek Coal Co. purchased Algoma Coal & Coke in 1957 and operated the Algoma coal mines until 1965. The last company to operate the long-lived Algoma mines was United Pocahontas Coal Co. They closed the Algoma mines for good in 1983.

The original tipple was replaced by a modern steel tipple in 1926. Amazingly this tipple was still standing in 1991, 100 years after Algoma shipped its first coal. A WV Historic Inventory Form from the early 1990s stated that demoliton of the tipple and reclamation of the coke ovens was imminent, though. The form listed Regency Coal Co. as the property owners.

*Apr. 2014 image by author* A few coal company houses left at Algoma.

*Feb. 2017 image by author* Very few coal camp houses remain at Algoma.

*Mar. 2004 image by author* The Algoma company store was constructed in the late 1940s to replace an earlier wood-framed store. Later, it housed other coal companies' office, then a clinic. It is now abandoned and deteriorating.

*Mar. 2022 image by author* Front porch of the abandoned company store. This illustrates that being listed on the National Register of Historic Places is no guarantee that a structure will be preserved.

*Mar. 2022 image by author* The glass doors of the store.

*Mar. 2022 image by author* Abandoned company store interior.

*ERCA collection image* A picture inside the Algoma company store when it was new. In the he original company stores in the Appalachian coal fields, customers stood on one side of the counter, and the merchandise, along with the store staff, was on the other side of the counter. However, in this photo it is evident that the rebuilt company store featured a supermarket configuration, replete with shopping carts. This was the food department of the store, but there were several other sections featuring drugs, furniture, hardware, ladies' clothes, men's clothes, and children's clothes, among other catagories.

*ERCA collection image* The hardware section of the Algoma company store. Coal miners' dinner buckets and lunch boxes are amont the items on display.

*ERCA collection image* Algoma Coal & Coke company store when it was new.

*Apr. 2014 image by author* Remains of one of Algoma's beehive coke ovens.

*Apr. 2014 image by author* One of several slate dumps still in existence at Algoma.

*Apr. 2014 image by author* Ruins of the Algoma mine or town.

*Feb. 2017 image by author* The Algoma slate dump as seen from the Elk Ridge neighborhood of Northfork.

Sources

Schust, Alex P. Billion Dollar Coalfield. Two Mule Publishing, 2010.

McEvoy, Frederick, Phd. West Virginia Historic Prperty Registration Form, . Revised 1994.