Large Scale Central

A Natl Park Svc. essay on coal mining in Appalachia

Prototypes
#1

A narrative of railroads, coal mines, convict labor, “hillbillies”, social engineering, and the march of industrialization in the hills of Tennessee (Cumberland Plateau). 1880-1930

http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/sero/appalachian/sec9.htm

Note: I was actually just looking for a pic of the top of a bank of coke ovens when I found this. - But it was simply too interesting not to share.

I posted it here not to ‘bait’ anyone or start a fight, but because because it explains in depth how railroads were the main enabling vehicle of “change” (both good and bad) in the region beginning a decade or so after the civil war. However, it also frankly and truthfully discusses the prevailing attitudes of the period in regards to immigrants, minorities, workers in general, and those people already living in the area. Those folks who are overly sensitive to the not quite pretty parts of capitalism, social ‘science’, and our national history, are simply in denial of the same, or just want to complain because I mentioned it, are politely asked to skip the whole thing.

OTOH Those who have an interest in a discussion of the time period, the Appalachian region, or the mining industry, (AND how understanding real historical events and trends can be related to more ‘authentic’ railroad modeling!) I’m quite willing to converse with (here - or elsewhere if need be). I’m actually sorry that I pretty much HAVE to post this long-winded explanation of my motives for posting something both historical and rail related here.

#2

Thanks Mik.

Nice article that sheds light on the way the West (and East) was really won eh?

You really need to be careful with these exposes. They be bordering on a “redness” that many do not like to tolerate. Much less be brought to the attention of the Plebs.
We should never forget what the old time workers suffered so that we can enjoy the living standards we have today.

Personally I don’t really care what anyone’s politics are, as long as they are honest. Honest people invariably always do the right thing when faced with choices.
The trick is finding honest people. Especially our elected lawmakers.

#3

Tony,

Honesty is simply an example of virtue (moral excellence), one of the many virtues.

We want virtuous people in public office.

You don’t use tricks to find them, you raise your children (future political candidates) in the virtues.

The real “trick” is (with atheism as the only allowed faith) teaching virtues without mentioning God or God’s will (e.g. the virtue of “piety”).

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik

Edit: added “the virtue of”

#4

Mik,

I got just the book to go with that in my library. Appalachia: Social Context Past and Present (ISBN 0-8403-2805-2) picked that up in Princeton, WV when I spent a few weeks down there installing a rather large HO/HOm layout in the mid 90s.
Also got a first hand look by railfanning the coal fiields. Shocking then, probably more shocking now. :frowning:

#5

My main problem with the piece is not whether the content is palatable to some folks, or even that it may well be perceived as “biased” - But that the author pretty much overreached - trying to fit what is probably several books worth of information into a single shortish essay. As a condensed overview, it’s pretty good, but too many of the more important trends got glossed over, and some of the anecdotes and sidebars presented didn’t really advance the subject as a whole as much as they could have. I’d give it a solid B … but would have liked to see more, and less.

And yes, we (as a society) like to forget the parts of our history that don’t fit our current idolized view of ourselves - even when it is to our disadvantage to do so.

#6
Mik said:
And yes, we (as a society) like to forget the parts of our history that don't fit our current idolized view of ourselves - even when it is to our disadvantage to do so.
They were forgetting inconvenient history in Ur -- of course, there was a bit less history to forget back then. To Ur is human, or something like that ...

Oh yes, to err is human, to forgive divine, and to blame it on the other guy is politics.

#7

This has been an interesting thread. I lived and worked as a Family Doctor in the midst of the Cumberland Plateau in Dunlap, Sequatchie County Tennessee 1981-1984. Dunlap is mentioned in the essay. I was there paying off my medical school loan and working in an under-served very poor rural Appalachian town.

Here are a few websites about the coke ovens in Dunlap you may find interesting. The RR did haul the products to market as you noted. If you are in the area they are well worth a visit.

http://www.tnhistoryforkids.org/places/dunlap_museum

http://www.cokeovens.com/

Looking forward to reading more about the history of this area I previously lived in.

Doc Tom

#8

Some more related links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennessee_Coal,_Iron_and_Railroad_Company

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walden_Ridge

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/appalachia/

http://www.historicmapworks.com/Buildings/index.php?state=TN

http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Tennessee_and_coal

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tracy_City,_Tennessee

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appalachia

#9

Good stuff Mik I have always loved the history, people and landscape of Appalachia as well as the entire appalachian Mtn chain. No doubt some of the most intresting history.