Our History
Looking back...
|
The men came from Tennessee, Virginia, Georgia, and many other states to mine for black diamonds. Some sent for their families; others married into families on the creek. The coal company tried to anticipate and provide for their many needs:
|
Housing and Utilities
|
Numerous coal camps were built complete with electricity generated by Stone Power Plant and running water from huge tanks maintained by the company.
|
|
Worship
|
The coal company assisted building community churches like Stone United Methodist and McVeigh Missionary Baptist.
|
|
Education
|
Community schools were established at Coeburn, Stone, McAndrews, Octacia, Ball Fork, McVeigh, and Hardy for the children. Libraries for children and their parents were sponsored by the coal company and opened in Stone and Hardy.
|
Entertainment
|
Families could see three different movies weekly at Stone Theater. Often two movies were shown on one night. Tuesday night was BINGO NIGHT for years. Theatergoers could play bingo and win very nice prizes.
YMCA's at Stone and Hardy and the Red Robin Baseball Team offered alternate forms of recreation and entertainment. |
|
Medical Care
|
Company Doctors kept office hours, made house calls, and provided emergency care on site, especially at the mines.
|
Shopping
|
Company stores at Stone, Pinsonfork, McVeigh, and Hardy stocked the very latest clothing, home accessories and furniture, as well as food and cleaning supplies. Bought first, however, was the carbide the miner needed for his helmet lamp.
|
|
Other Businesses/Services
|
Also available to coal miners and their families were post offices, barber shop, snack bar and drug store.
|
The Glory Days of Pond Creek Mining are no more, but their history is the core of the Stone Heritage Museum.
