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VENUS, WV (GARY NO. 10)

This was the No. 10 Works for United States Coal and Coke Co. (one of the coal mining arms of U.S. Steel - HC Frick Coke Co. was another), which opened in 1907. There were coke ovens up the river (No. 4) and down the river (No. 3) from Venus, but there were never any coke ovens at Gary No. 10. No. 10 operated from 1907 until 1931, and again from 1940 until 1982. Also, No. 11 mine was located next to Venus, and was open from 1907 until 1925. In later Years No. 11's coal reserves were taken out through one of No. 6's portals on the other side of the mountain. Venus had a company store, two churches, and a baseball field.

Apr. 2006 image by author

Company houses built by U.S.C. and C. for the workers of the No. 10 mine.

Apr. 2006 image by author

Another view of Venus.

Apr. 2006 image by author

Nearby the Venus coal camp was the No. 11 mine. The drift mouth for the No. 11 mine, with "1908" formed in the concrete. This would have been one of the portals through which coal cars were taken in and out of the mine.

Apr. 2006 image by author

Another drift portal into the No. 11 mine.

Apr. 2006 image by author

Concrete building and "manway" portal into the coal seam. Building could have been a lamp house or powder house.

Apr. 2006 image by author

Just outside of the portals is a wooden trestle for the mine trolley.

Apr. 2006 image by author

There are a few underground coal cars laying around the ruins of the mine, and this one is in the best condition.

Apr. 2006 image by author

Tag rivited to the back of one of the coal cars showing it was made by ACF (American Car and Foundry) at their Huntington shop.

Apr. 2006 image by author

Below the original No. 11 mine site is this chute/conveyor/loadout structure that may have been used after U.S. Steel stopped mining in this area. It is probably built on the same site as the original No. 11 tipple, and, since it has some wooden construction, may actually contain some of the original tipple structure in it.

WV AML Program image

Looking inside a coal mine portal, one can see that a block seal has been broken into.

WV AML Program image

On the left is the remains of a fan house, and on the right is another old mine building.

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A closer view of the old mine building shows that it was constructed in 1907.

WV AML Program image

Looking inside the fan house into the air shaft.