Celebrate Coal Miner’s Day In SE Kentucky

Mike O’Bradovich, retired coal miner
Photo by Charles Pannell

Join the friendly folks of Lynch, Kentucky as they celebrate Coal Miner’s Day on October 16, 2004. This annual event pays tribute to the men (and women) who worked in the coal mines. The festivities, which include music and guest speakers, will begin promptly at 2 P.M. at Portal 31. A reception in the lamphouse will follow the program.

Says Bobbi Gothard, Director of the Kentucky Coal Mining Museum, “Coal mining was a very dangerous occupation and Coal Miner’s Day was created to honor those folks who lost their life in the mines.”

Founded in 1917, Lynch was once the world’s largest coal camp. It was established by United States Coal and Coke Company (a subsidiary of US Steel) and built on 19,000 company-owned acres in Southeastern Kentucky. The peak population of Lynch was estimated at 10,000, but today it’s about one-tenth of that number.

Portal 31, once an active coal mine, is located on Hwy 160 in the center of Lynch. The mine shut down in the early 60s, but 40 years later it was reborn as Kentucky’s first exhibition coal mine. Currently the mine tour is not very accessible as you have to walk over a very uneven surface, however look for that to change in the next year. Says Gothard, “Our plans call for coal cars to transport visitors into Portal 31 and the cars will be wheelchair-accessible.”

More information about Portal 31 and the history of Lynch, can be found at kingdomcome.org/portal/.

For more information about tourism in Southeastern Kentucky, visit the Southern and Eastern Kentucky Tourism Development Association on-line at www.tourseky.com, or give them a call at (877)868-7735.

Southeastern Kentucky offers a number of accessible travel options including visits to state resort parks, former coal mining towns and Appalachian craft shops. Consult the Fall 2004 issue of Emerging Horizons for details on accessible lodging, tourist sites and vacation ideas in Southeastern Kentucky.