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Boissevain, Virginia

Census-designated places in Tazewell County, VirginiaCensus-designated places in VirginiaCoal towns in VirginiaHeart of Appalachia, Virginia geography stubsUnincorporated communities in Tazewell County, Virginia
Unincorporated communities in VirginiaUse mdy dates from July 2023
Boissevain Road
Boissevain Road

Boissevain is an unincorporated community, census-designated place (CDP), and former coal town in Tazewell County, Virginia, United States. It was defined as a census-designated place (then termed an unincorporated place) at the 1950 United States Census under the spelling Boissevaine, when it had a population of 1,197. It did not reappear again as a CDP until the 2020 census with a population of 457. In February 1932 38 men lost their lives in a coal mine explosion. Boissevain is served by the Abbs Valley -Boissevain - Pocahontas Rescue Squad Inc - Rescue 945 for Emergency Medical Services.

Excerpt from the Wikipedia article Boissevain, Virginia (License: CC BY-SA 3.0, Authors, Images).

Boissevain, Virginia
SR 644,

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Latitude Longitude
N 37.281666666667 ° E -81.380277777778 °
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Address

SR 644 538
24606
Virginia, United States
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Boissevain Road
Boissevain Road
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Pocahontas Exhibition Coal Mine
Pocahontas Exhibition Coal Mine

Pocahontas Exhibition Coal Mine, also known as Pocahontas Mine No. 1, or Baby Mine, is an inactive coal mine in the Pocahontas Coalfield, in Pocahontas in western Virginia. The mine was the first in the sub-bituminous coal of the Pocahontas Coalfield, opening in 1882. In 1938 it became the first exhibition coal mine in the United States. Uniquely, it was possible to drive one's automobile through the mine, entering through the fan opening and exiting through the original entry. The practice continued until 1970, when it was discontinued due to damage to the roof of the mine from car exhaust. The site is also notable for its history of coke production on site for transportation by rail to steel mills. Pocahontas coal was especially suitable for coking, and played a significant role in the industrial development of the United States. Coke and coal were shipped by rail to Norfolk, Virginia for trans-shipment to eastern US ports and overseas. Coking on the site was eventually discontinued, and the mine spoil pile covers the area where the beehive ovens were located. Only three oven ruins remain, overgrown with trees. This mine, when active, supplied the United States Navy a majority of its coal through both world wars. Its smokeless quality allowed ships to go undetected from distances, thus giving the Navy an advantage over enemies. By the end of the second world war, coal in the "baby mine" was waning. Technology was advancing and reducing the number of miners required to do the work and allowed for the creation of the exhibition mine. In 1955 mining ceased in Pocahontas altogether. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1994.