Discover The History Of America's First Coal Miners At Mid-Lothian Mines Park In Virginia
By Beth|Published May 02, 2020
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Beth
Author
A lifelong Virginia resident, Beth loves exploring different parts of the world and currently resides in Charlottesville. She holds a degree in English Literature and one of her short stories has been featured in the Shenandoah Review. Other interests include hiking, songwriting, and spending time in the mountains.
History surrounds us here in Virginia, not only in our museums but also in our parks. Head to Mid-Lothian Mines Park and you can explore one of the first major industrial sites in the United States. This beautiful 44-acre preserve is dedicated to the people of Chesterfield County, many of whom have relatives that once worked as dedicated miners in the area. So whether you’re drawn to the impressive history of the land or find peace in the secluded woods, you’ll cherish your visit to Mid-Lothian Mines Park.
Welcome to Mid-Lothian Mines Park, a breathtaking preserve that tells the fascinating and complicated history of coal mining in Virginia.
Few people realize that this region of Virginia is the very first place that coal was mined in the United States.
The history of commercial coal mining in Virginia started in the early 1700s. Coal was discovered near a French Huguenot settlement and shortly after, coal miners from Wales, England, and Scotland arrived and settled in Chesterfield.
The Mid-Lothian Coal Mining Company began in 1835, with four shafts that produced nearly one million bushels of coal per year. Coal from the Mid-Lothian area mines was used to fire the furnaces at Richmond's Tredegar Iron Works.
The two-story granite ruins of the Grove Shaft are all that remain after a series of devastating explosions that claimed the lives of several workers. that took place on February 3rd, 1882. The incident killed 32 workers.
The first mine explosion happened at Pump Shaft in 1855 and killed 55 men. Eight additional men were lost at Grove Shaft in 1876. The same location suffered its final explosion in 1882, this time killing 32 men.
In the 1920s, the Murphy Coal Corporation made a final effort to re-open the Grove mine, which was quickly discovered to be unprofitable.
Today, visitors to the park will have the opportunity to learn about this once-flourishing industry and learn the complicated history of the coal miners and the surrounding land.
In addition to wonderful historic overviews, the park offers meandering trails and a scenic pond. Whether you're a visitor or a local, you're sure to feel right at home when you visit this neighborhood park steeped in history.
