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FILBERT, WV (GARY NO. 9)
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.
An italian immigrant named Carlo Columbia employed by U.S. Coal and Coke at No. 9 mine.
Old structures remaining at the site of the old Gary No. 9 mine.
This shop building may date back to the US Coal and Coke/US Steel era.
This tipple was probably built after US Steel reopened No. 9 in 1966. Click here for high resolution image.
However, these may be the ruins of the original Filbert tipple, along with a pile of railroad ties left when the track was pulled up.
A conveyor support, also known as a "bent."
This flooded portal is also located at the Filbert coal processing site.
Small industrial building built by U.S. Coal and Coke.
The 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.
Many of the large company houses built by U.S. Coal and Coke in the early 1900s are still in sturdy condition.
A 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.
Filbert coal camp when it was new.
A 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.
On 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.
Inside 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.
Another view inside Miracle Mountain lodge.
Sources:
Schust, Alex P. Gary Hollow. Two Mule Publishing, 2005.
Interview with caretaker's friend, March 2022.
Image courtesy of Sandy Etter
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H.N. Eavenson picture
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