CSX Transportation Historical Society

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Van Lear images from Webb's Store

Rail Fan Adventure --

On January 4th, Christian and I followed L200-03 west to Dawkins. Afterward, no train activity was imminent. Christian had never been up Millers Creek before, so we took a little tour.

1. Van Lear Black was a Consol director and a banker who aided in financing new coal operations in Kentucky.
Van Lear Black was a Consol director and a banker who aided in financing new coal operations in Kentucky.

2. C&O 90615 was built in 1926 to a design that was common in the coal fields.
C&O 90615 was built in 1926 to a design that was common in the coal fields.

3. Webb's Store was formerly Consolidation Coal store no. 2. It is currently open and a treasure trove of history.
Webb's Store was formerly Consolidation Coal store no. 2. It is currently open and a treasure trove of history.

4. Store no. 2 back in the day. Note that goods arrived by rail.
Store no. 2 back in the day. Note that goods arrived by rail.

5. Consol mine no. 4. Officially this was mine no. 144.
Consol mine no. 4. Officially this was mine no. 144.

6. Mine no. 3.
Mine no. 3.

7. Mine no. 2.
Mine no. 2.

8. Mine no. 1. My flash glare almost obliterated a passenger coach. The engine house for the Millers Creek Railroad was in this area.
Mine no. 1. My flash glare almost obliterated a passenger coach. The engine house for the Millers Creek Railroad was in this area.

9. The ice house was behind store no. 2. This is located near the head of Millers Creek and a short distance below mine no. 155 (no. 5).
The ice house was behind store no. 2. This is located near the head of Millers Creek and a short distance below mine no. 155 (no. 5).

10. Substantial size houses located at "Slate Row."
Substantial size houses located at "Slate Row."

11. Mine 155 at the head of Millers Creek was the last to operate. It closed in 1958. The others ceased production in the late 1920s or Depression 1930s.
Mine 155 at the head of Millers Creek was the last to operate. It closed in 1958. The others ceased production in the late 1920s or Depression 1930s.

12. Mine no. 2. The slate dump is to the right of the tipple. Store no. 1 is on the right. Mine no. 1 is on the right in the distance.
Mine no. 2. The slate dump is to the right of the tipple. Store no. 1 is on the right. Mine no. 1 is on the right in the distance.

13. Store no. 2 was robbed on 10-15-1914. This clipping came from the Paintsville Herald.
Store no. 2 was robbed on 10-15-1914. This clipping came from the Paintsville Herald.

14. Interior of Webb's Store. 01-04-2025.
Interior of Webb's Store. 01-04-2025.

15. Portal of mine no. 155 (aka no. 5).
Portal of mine no. 155 (aka no. 5).

16. Another entry.
Another entry.

17. Loretta Lynn's homeplace in Butcher Hollow above the site of No. 155.
Loretta Lynn's homeplace in Butcher Hollow above the site of No. 155.

There are three books covering the history of Van Lear, KY:

Blue Moon Over Kentucky: A Biography of Kentucky's Troubled Highlands by James Vaughn, Delapress Inc., 134 pages.

Bankmules: The Story of Van Lear, a Kentucky Coal Town, by James E. Vaughan, Jesse Stuart Foundation, Ashland, 254 pages.

Van Lear by Danny K. Blevins. Images of America series published by Arcadia Publishing. 126 pages.

Many of the photos used come from the archives of the Van Lear Historical Society.

All for now.

Train images used by permission of Everett N Young