New River national River

New River Gorge
The Southwestern part of West Virginia was, and is, known for coal mining. Congress established the New River Gorge in 1978. Today 53 miles of the river and its gorge and 40 miles of tributaries are preserved as New River Gorge National River, Gauley River National Recreation Area and Bluestone National Scenic River. In 1873 the railroad opened this isolated part of West Virginia and the landscape began to change. The railroad bordered along the river making possible the shipment of coal to the outside world. Coal mining grew and there were many towns and mines along the River Gorge. We were able to get a good feeling about the way that coal mining was in the beginning by visiting Canyon Rim Visitors Center, Thurmond Historic District, Sandstone Visitors Center and the Grandview Area. Bob, on a 5 mile hike from the Grandview area, was able to hike down into the gorge and see layers of coal in the rock formations. We were able to visit with a number of present day miners and some veterans who were in the mines for over 47 years and mined back in the 1950’s. Coal mining was a hard life in the beginning and still is a hard life. Miners must work long hours to make a good living. The effects on the land from coal mining are apparent as you wander through this part of West Virginia.