Take a Historical Journey along the Virginia Coal Heritage Trail

Published on Dec 30, 2009

Take a trip through seven counties on a 325-mile drive along the Virginia Coal Heritage Trail. The byway takes you on a historical journey through the coal-mining days from the late 18th century, providing glimpses of smokeless ovens, railroad depots and tunnels, century-old structures, and abandoned mines.

Begin in the town of Pocahontas at the Pocahontas Mine, one of the largest in the world with over 30 square miles underground. Delve into the tunnels of a preserved drift mine from the side of the mountain as you learn about how coal mining works. Head 25 miles southwest to Tazewell, where you’ll find the Crab Orchard Museum, the most comprehensive cultural heritage museum in the middle Appalachians. Catch a living history program at Pioneer Park and imagine the excitement of life on the Virginia frontier.

Venture 60 miles west on the byway through Big Rock, where you’ll pass under an active tipple on your way to Breaks Interstate Park. Known as “the Grand Canyon of the South,” the park is home of the deepest gorge east of the Mississippi River. Pause along the rim for captivating views of the Russell Fork River. Bring your binoculars and search the horizon for golden eagles nesting in the lofty heights of the gorge rim, or search for the old Domus Mine and other mining evidence among abundant trees and grand rock formations. After experiencing the park's magnificent sights, stop by the Visitor’s Center or museum to learn about the area's distinctive historical and archaeological qualities.

Head 39 miles along the byway to the Dante Coal and Railroad Museum, where you’ll find a wide array of memorabilia pertaining to the coal and railroad industries. The museum is home of the Dante History Project, a display of quilted panels which documents the struggles and successes of its citizens with oral histories and old photographs. In Dante, you’ll also find the Dante Coal Miner’s Memorial, which honors miners who lost their lives.

Appalachia, 40 miles farther along the byway, is a mining town to this day and is considered to be an intact “era town” of the late 1800s and early 1900s. Don’t miss the Bee Rock Tunnel, recognized as the shortest railroad tunnel in the world by Ripley’s Believe It or Not!

As you travel along the Virginia Coal Heritage Trail, let your appreciation grow for those brave enough to be a part of the coal industry. You’ll find intriguing historical sites, fascinating tidbits of knowledge, and souvenirs that aptly represent your historical journey through the heart of Appalachia’s coalfield region.

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