Coalwood Memories
This web site is dedicated to Coalwood, WV. Especially to all of us who lived there, and to those who wished they had.
As a person starts his journey down the road of life the first few miles is a crawl, then before you know it you are running. As the distance in front gets shorter than what is left behind you will slow down and soon be thinking: "What did I not see on the side of the road in years of travel?" You will start to reflect back on those many journeyed miles and wonder, "Am I a better person for the path I chose? Did the people I encountered along the way inspire me or changed my perspective on life?" All of us like to remember the good things, not the bad. And were they really that bad? If you are one of those who were in a hurry, take the the time to visit today and come often. I hope this website will bring back fond memories. I also hope you will slow down and experience again this wonderful journey with a better understanding of just how important it is to capture everything and talk with everyone you smissed. All roads will take you somewhere, even if it is a dead end. Take time to listen and use the road for a learning tool to pass on to your new generation. The greatness of life is not how fast you travel, but what you picked up along the way for your future..
Coalwood: West Virginia Mining Communities
of Coalwood, Caretta and Six"
Read excerpts from the book HERE
Large file - 12 pages
Click HERE to order a copy of the book.
Alex Schust is author of Gary Hollow click HERE to see his web page.
My name is David Ray Goad and I was born and raised in Coalwood, WV. My deceased parents are Levie Ray and Oleta Huff Goad. My parents, like many other people from Carroll County, VA, came to Coalwood looking for work. It has been said that if you were from Carroll County you were guaranteed a job. George L. Carter owned the mines but was born in Carroll County, VA.
My parents knew they wanted to raise their children in this small wonderful community, little did they know it would someday become famous. A coal miner's son had a dream - he fulfilled his dream and then wrote about it. Now thanks to Homer H. Hickam, Jr. who wrote "The Rocket Boys" and soon thereafter became a feature movie renamed "October Sky," Coalwood, WV is now known throughout the world.
But let me tell you why I think Coalwood is famous.
For several years now it has been an on again - off again project of mine to do a history of Coalwood. I wanted to do this not only for myself, but for my children and grandchildren. I want them to know about their strong, rich heritage. I want the world to know we lived in a place that was more than just another coal camp. I want others to know about a proud, dedicated people. People that came together in a time of need and a time for fun. There is no real history of Coalwood in any archives that I can find, but the memories of her people are better than any history book.
Everyone I have talked with has either a picture or a memory of something special about our town. The people made the town and their memories make up the history. Take a few minutes and read the text and look at the pictures. Let the essence of this small community and its people take you on a journey to a special place - Coalwood, WV.
From time to time I will be changing or adding to the pictures and text. Be it today or a day gone by. I think you will enjoy all you see and read. I am by no means a writer or a historian. I just want you to know a little something about our part of "Almost Heaven Coalwood, WV." The place we call home.
Be sure to visit often and hope you enjoy my web page.
My regular guest book is full, 1000 entries
Please sign in on guest book #2 and be sure to read the entries in the other one at the bottom of the page
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