The next time you find yourself traveling north on I-79, take a short break at exit 137, the East Park Avenue exit near Fairmont. It’s here that you’ll find the most unusual tribute to the history of coal mining in the Mountain State: a quirky themed putt-putt course that not only features coal mining, but also uses old equipment from a mining operation as permanent features of each new hole. It’s appropriately named Coal Country Miniature Golf.
Each hole has been carefully designed around a piece of equipment or some sort of infrastructure from a nearby mine.
In fact, the first hole features a tunnel that was actually part of the fan that helped to keep the air clean and safe. (Don't worry... from this photo you can't tell, but it's plenty big enough to walk through.)
Other distinct features are not quite big enough for everyone to get through, but you'll be able to easily walk around those — after you successfully putt your ball through them, of course.
If you're a frequent traveler on Interstate 79 in West Virginia then perhaps you've seen the rotating 22-foot-tall coal miner from this mini-golf course. His name is Big John, and he represents coal miners from many generations in the Mountain State. And yes, he's part of the course. Can you hit a ball through his legs?
Even the walkways feature evidence of mining operations. We're not sure what this is, but it looks like a conveyor belt sunken into the walking surface between holes.
Don't worry if you're not sure what any of this cool equipment was used for. Coal Country Miniature Golf has interpretive signage at each hole explaining the equipment in full.
Coal Country Miniature Golf is a fun, family-oriented day trip or break from any road trip. They also have batting cages. This unique family adventure park was designed by the owner, who is a retired mining engineer.
Coal Country Miniature Golf is located approximately a mile from exit 137 on Interstate 79. Address: 22 Coal Country Lane, Fairmont, WV 26554. It’s open seven days a week with hours that vary widely. Peak summer hours are from 11:00 a.m to 11:00 p.m. If you’d like to call ahead to make sure they’re open, then the number is (304)336-9300. Learn more on their official website and Facebook page.
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