U.S. 40 Cross Section of the United States of America (Chapter 20: Coal Mine)

 

That was then (1953)

 

Intro to chapter 20:

At best there is little that is picturesque about a coal mine, and when a leaden sky merely echoes back the grayness of the dump, picturesqueness is at a minimum.  Yet U.S. 40 runs through coal-mining country for 150 miles, and this basic industry can scarcely be omitted from any presentation of a cross section.  

The location is about halfway across the northern panhandle of West Virginia, through which U.S.40 cuts for a few miles.

 

This is now. A view of U.S. 40 as it passes through Triadelphia, which is located about halfway across the panhandle.

 

This website about the panhandle coalfields of West Virginia notes that the last mine in Triadelphia closed in 1984.

Triadelphia is 52 miles southwest of Pittsburgh and 6 miles east of Wheeling.

Photo by Retiring Guy: 1952 Rand McNally Road Atlas (arrow added)

Related post:

Chapter 1:  Beginnings.  (7/19/2024)

Chapter 2:  Coastal Plain.  (7/20/2024)

Chapter 5.  Six-Lane Highway.  (8/4/2024)

Chapter 6.  Bush River.  (8/5/2024)

Chapter 7:  Baltimore rows.  (8/6/2024)

Chapter 8:  Ellicott City.  (8/7/2024)

Chapter 9.  Frederick.  (8/8/2024)

Chapter 11.  Horrible example.  (8/16/2024)

Chapter 12.  Mount Prospect.  (8/17/2024)

Chapter 13:  Ridge and Valley.  (8/18/2024)

Chapter 14:  The Narrows.  (8/19/2024)

Chapter 15:  From Little Savage Mountain.  (8/27/2024)

Chapter 16:  Mason-Dixon Line.  (8/28/2024)

Chapter 17:  Fort Necessity (8/29/2024)

Chapter 18:  Braddock's Grave, (8/30/2024)

Chapter 19:  Toll House.  (9/2/2024)