Reclamation Efforts of the Sale Creek Coal Mines

This narrative tells the history of the Sale Creek coal mines from their inception in 1868 until the industry folded in 1913. It also traces some of the individual miners who continued mining coal in privately owned mines for another 50 years. The reclamation efforts by the United States Soil Conservation Service is covered. That effort began in 1994 with Howard Whitaker in charge. A recent visit to the mines by the author is included in the narrative as well as some recent photographs of the area by a photographer.