"SHINBRIER" ALMOST HEAVEN by "dizzy" harris.

LAMAR WV - MINERS HOMES 1930

ALGONQUIN - LAMAR

Algonguin, on Flat Top Mountain, in Mercer County, was established as a mining town in about 1914 by the Algonquin Coal Company. State mining records indicate the Algonquin Coal Company operated its mining operation at Algonguin from 1915 to 1929. The Algonquin operation worked the Pocahontas No. 3 seam and shipped coal from its No. 1 and 2 mines via the Norfolk & Western Railway and the Virginian Railway. A post office was established at Algonquin at an unknown date.

The Oct. 28, 1918 edition of Black Diamond featured an article on the Algonquin Coal Company's mining operation at Algonquin. At that time the company employed 100 workers at the mine. At the time the article was published Algonuin had a company store, bowling alley, club house, and a motion picture theater. The company's coal was sold through the Smokeless Fuel Company.

Lamar

The name of the mine was changed to Lamar in about 1930, when the Lamar Colliery Company took over operation of the Algonquin mines. According to state mining records the Lamar Colliery Company operated the Lamar mine from 1930 through the early 1950s.

ALGONQUIN NEAR CLARKS GAP

Hi Dizzy, I found this interesting photo amongst my Great Grandma’s things while cleaning out her house. My great grandfather was a miner in the Algonquin Mine in 1926. This is from the Algonquin School Oct 17th 1926.

My G-Grandfather was Joseph Thorn

Thank You

Kelly Simmons

LAMAR WEST VIRGINIA

LOUIS KING, JR AND BOB KING AT LAMAR

LETTER FROM CHRIS LIKENS

Hello Dizzy. Hope you are well. My name is Chris Likens. Just wondering if you or any of your family grew up in Lamar, West Virginia. My grandma and grandpa and my mother and all my aunts and uncle's lived there back in the 40s and early 50s. Their last names were Harmon. Just wondering if you knew any of them. Grandpa's name was James Luther Harmon, he worked in the Lamar mine. Grandma's name was Adeline Marie Harmon. Their childrens names were James ( June) Harmon, he worked in Lamar mine, and Lloyd Harmon. The girls names were Mildred Harmon, Gracie Harmon, Pauline Harmon, Phillis Harmon and my mother, Carolyn Harmon, which is the only one living now. She had told me about Lamar and how it was back then. They all moved to Martinsville Va. shortly before the mines shut down in about 1952. We have all the Algonquin scrip and all the Lamar scrip. And have seen some pictures of Lamar. Went out there in the 90s and found a part of a carbide light laying beside the rail road track. Went up on the mountain and found the foundation of the house that my grandpa and grandma and all the kids grew up in and she showed me where the 2 room school house used to be. Geneva Pennelton Asbury was the school teacher. And also where the company store was. Just wonder if you knew any of my folks. Been trying to find pictures of the school house and the company store on the inside and out and any other pictures of Lamar. If you could help it would be appreciated. Thank you so much, Dizzy. Love the Shinbrier site.

Yours Truly

Chris Likens

NOTE FROM BRENDA GORMLEY - JUNE 5 2005

Hi
My name is Brenda Gormley and I am the daughter of Shelby Jean Ritter
Catlett, who was the daughter of Sanders Spencer Ritter and Verna Alice
Testerman Ritter....I used to visit Lamar with my parents and my
grandparents lived there for many years.....I would be interested in any
pictures you may have of Lamar especially in the 40, 50, and 60's. I would be
happy to pay for copying and shipping....
Can you help me? I am trying to get back there for the reunion on Aug 6 if
at all possible.
Thank you
GOD BLESS
BRENDA

UNKNOWN MINER - LAMAR MINE 1930

LAMAR WEST VIRGINIA AREA COAL MINERS

Man on far right is Louis King - Mine Foreman

His wife was Sylvia Marshall who he married in 1930

Does anyone recognize any of these miners

COMPANY STORE AT LAMAR

LAMAR TIPPLE

Chris DellaMea has done a great job of exploring the Lamar-Algonquin remains. He has created the following site to share his work with all who are interested.

http://coalcampusa.com/sowv/flattop/lamar-algonquin-wv/lamar-algonquin-wv.htm

E-MAIL MESSAGE FROM MARY JB LARSEN - DEC 10 2020

Hi Dizzy, I have pictures of Algonquin from April 1, 1928. My husband's (SCOTT LARSEN) great grandfather was on location that day. He worked for the rail company in Cleveland. His name was Otto Christian Sofus Larsen. Was known as "Larry"

Larry took the following group of photos of Algonquin April 1, 1928. The photos are family owned and are copyright protected.