This Ride Through An Old Coal Mine In Kentucky Will Take You Back In Time
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Jenn Shockley
Author
Coal mining has been a way of life in the rural sections of our state for decades. There are many families that flourished, simply survived, and died by the mine. The rest of us usually don’t get to experience what life is like in an old coal mine in Kentucky. Portal 31 and the Coal Mine Museum have taken great lengths to change that and give us an in-depth look at what life was like for miners, and the trials and tribulations their families endured.
Portal 31
Lynch became the world’s largest coal community. It was started by a subsidiary of U.S. Steel known as the U.S. Coal & Coke Company in the southeastern portion of Harlan County. At one point, around 10,000 families and miners, including 38 different nationalities resided there.
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The community had their own police force and everything was ran by the coal company. They spared manpower in order to prevent unionization. Their tactics were so strong arm the community earned the title of "Bloody Harlan."
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A black granite monument sits outside Portal 31 paying homage to the Steel District #1 miners who perished in horrific accidents at the mine. It also pays tribute to John L Lewis, former president of the United Mine Workers. Today, you can visit both the museum and mine for a one of a kind tour. You can visit some of the original, but well preserved buildings from the original camp.
Coal mining was hard work. Many workers died in accidents or from Black Lung.
This amazing portal to the past will take you back in time. You will see things as they were, under much safer conditions than they had back then.
Ride the coal cars while hearing the history of the mine. Enlightened engineers will take you on a ride into the darkness, explaining the way things were and the precautions that have been taken to preserve the area and keep things safe for tourists. This is a great way to get in touch with your ancestors and coal community of Kentucky.
...are $8 per adult, $6 per senior, $5 for high school or college kids, and $4 for students ages 3 through 12. The Portal tour pricing is $15 per adult, $12 per senior, $9 for high school and college kids, and $6 for students age 3 through 12. All children under 3 get in both locations free with an adult. There is also an RV park for those that want to hang out for a day or so.
Stepping back in time into an actual coal mine in Kentucky is an amazing experience. Portal 31 and the Coal Mine Museum make for a safe and enlightening journey into a very important part of our state’s history. It is an experience you won’t want to miss.
You can also journey back into the past with these Kentucky coal camp photos from the 1930s.
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