Coal from Roda was marketed as "Roda Gas Coal", and it even had its own logo, shown here. The manufacturing of gas from coal was once a prosperous industry in America.
Jan. 2007 image by author
Company housing at Roda, VA. Another company town of Stonega Coke and Coal Co., Roda opened in 1902-03. Mining of coal at Roda lasted from 1903 through 1957. The mines were reopened in the late 1960s, and coal was mined until the 1980s. The original Roda operations used two tipples. One of these wooden tipples was still being used in 1982, 80 years after it was constructed.
Jan. 2007 image by author
These homes at Roda were originally the superintendent's home (left) and the company doctor's home (right).
Jan. 2007 image by author
The church that Stonega Coke and Coal built at Roda still stands in 2007. A Methodist church, Stonega would have a minister removed if he didn't meet company approval.
