The 1940s was a decade of great change. The Second World War, though not fought on American soil, was felt by every American who lived here. These photographs reflect this era of change, from the coal mines to the battlefield. These images capture moments in time that will never occur again, but will always remain frozen in a single unforgotten moment.

1. This photograph was taken on August 24, 1946, depicting a Saturday afternoon on the streets of Welch in McDowell County.
WikiMedia/Russell Lee
2. This 1940 photograph was shot deep inside an unidentified mine here in West Virginia as workers in their mine carts roll by, tools in hand.
Flickr/Penn State Special Collections
3. Though not photographed in West Virginia, this is a photograph of the U.S.S. West Virginia during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Shortly after this photo was taken, the ship sank. But it would rise again only 3 months later.
Wikipedia/Public Domain

Related Stories

This Is The Oldest Place You Can Possibly Go In West Virginia And Its History Will Fascinate You

This Is The Oldest Place You Can Possibly Go In West Virginia And Its History Will Fascinate You

 Few People Know The Story Of West Virginia Before It Became A State

Few People Know The Story Of West Virginia Before It Became A State

 Take A Walk Through West Virginia History On These Colonial-Era Grounds

Take A Walk Through West Virginia History On These Colonial-Era Grounds
4. Eventually the U.S.S. West Virginia was pulled out of the water and refitted. It was back in service to fight in many notable battles to follow, and was even present for the Japanese surrender to American forces in 1945.
WikiMedia/Public Domain
5. While American forces fought overseas, the coal mining business chugged right along back home. Here is a photograph of Sunday School in the small camp set up for the miners working in the Warwick Mine, owned by the Kingston Pocahontas Coal Company in Welch.
WikiMedia/Russell Lee
6. Coal mines often set up small towns or camps for its workers, including houses, schools and a company store. However, many did not offer the best accommodations. In this photograph, also of the Kingston Pocahontas Coal Company, a miner and his children walk home with groceries along an unpaved road without sidewalks and no apparent camp maintenance. .
WikiMedia/Russell Lee

What do you think of these photographs? What do you know about these places in that time period? Feel free to comment below and h\join the discussion.

To learn more about West Virginia, check out these photos from the early 1900s.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Related Articles

Explore West Virginia