A story of the business of coal

The Coalfield Progress, Nov, 16, 2004
The Post November 16, 2004
 

The Minor Building, once a symbol of Westmoreland Coal Co.'s power in downtown Big Stone Gap, now houses a law office and insurance agency. (Jim Gibson photo)

Thousands of Wise Countians know something about Stonega Coke & Coal Co. and Westmoreland Coal Co., mostly from the perspective of having mined for them, living with their miners in the family or knowing their miners in the community. These two companies profoundly shaped the economy and the social framework of southwestern Wise County. The mines, coal camps, offices and managers' homes made possible by Stonega and Westmoreland - the nation's oldest independent coal company, celebrating its 150th anniversary this year - dominated the life of Big Stone Gap and the Appalachia area for 100 years. Nearly a decade after Westmoreland shut down its Virginia division and left the eastern coalfields, journalist Dan Rottenberg has finally told the story from the perspective of the decision makers who steered these two companies through booms, busts, world wars and global growing pains. In describing the remarkable history of Stonega and Westmoreland, Rottenberg explains how coal fueled America's transformation from a land of ports and small farms into the world's industrial powerhouse. In part one of a series, The Post profiles the book, "In the Kingdom of Coal," through an interview with the author. For more photos and stories, see the Sept. 8, 15, 22 and 29, 2004 editions of The Post.