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There are many towns with coal mines in it. These communities typically had one or more coal mining companies as their principal employer. During the first half of the 20th century, many towns were built from scratch by the mine operators to house their labor force. Homes were rented to the miners and many companies even provided a company owned store for the miner's families to purchase their home supplies and tools for the miners, often at inflated prices.

Many miners were paid whole or partially in script which was only redeemable at the company store. This practice led to a great deal of dissatisfaction by the miners, as they were economically locked to the company as a whole. Today, coal miners are regular salaried or hourly employees that are paid no different than any other employee in America. Company stores quickly went out of business once the miners had real currency to shop at any store they pleased.

While many mining communities became ghost towns when the mines eventually closed, many still exist as companies often sold their homes to the miners as the particular mining operation dissolved. Residents are often still strongly associated with coal mining and commute to other mines as anyone else may commute to work. Example of some of the smaller mine communities could include Powellton, Matewan and Nuttalburgh (ghost town).

Larger mining towns also formed to become regional economic centers. While the mining based economy served as their base, the are also diversified into banking, medical, professional services and other economic activities. Their general economic well being is still closely linked to mining and their overall economic well being rose or fell as per larger economic forces that drive the mining industry. Many are county seats. Example communities include Beckley, Oak Hill, Logan, Bluefield and Welch.

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Q: What are west Virginia coal mining towns?
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