Winds of Change Newsletter, September 2005     See sidebar for table of contents

WV Archives and History Commission Agrees: Blair Mountain Must Be Saved from Coal Mining, Belongs on National Register

by Regina Hendrix

	Aerial view of the proposed historic area, showing the 10-mile long ridgeline that was a key location during the Battle of Blair Mountain.   photo by Kenny King

The Friends of the Mountains’ nomination for Blair Mountain to be listed on National Register of Historic Places was the first item on the agenda at the May 6 meeting of the Archives and History Commission, where a standing-room-only crowd had assembled.

Historian and FOM consultant Frank Unger made a compelling presentation, with maps and aerial photography of the nomination area, a 10-mile intact ridgeline containing 1,600 acres.

Bob McCluskey, a Jackson & Kelly attorney representing Friends of Coal, was next and, as expected, was NOT in favor of preserving this piece of history. He nitpicked at the nomination procedure and brought up the coal industry’s tired old arguments about jobs and national security. You know, blow up the mountains for the good of America and use machines to replace miners.

While coal production has risen, coal employment has dropped nearly 75 percent in the last 20 years. If Blair Mountain is determined eligible for the National Register and the companies cannot blow up the ridge, they might have to recover the coal by conventional methods. This could become known as the Blair Jobs Bill.

After the presentations, state staff pointed out that the preservation of Blair Mountain would not restrict the use of the land. Next there were 20-some speakers who commented on the nomination, the first of which was our mystery guest –William C. Blizzard – in person, telling us of his recollection of his father’s trial in Charles Town.

Following the Blizzard family introductions, there were supporting statements by WV author Denise Giardina and labor historian Fred Barkey. Of course, there were some that didn’t support the nomination, such as the Dingess-Rum Landholding Co. and suppliers of heavy equipment used in mountaintop removal.

Another honored guest in attendance was OVEC member Kenneth King, a Logan resident who has been working for the past 10-plus years to save this piece of history. Kenny is an amateur archaeologist and historian.

As the meeting drew to a close, the vote was taken and the commission members voted unanimously to forward the nomination to National Park Service. This nomination has been attempted several times during the past 25 years and for various reasons it was never presented to National Park Service.

Thanks to all (especially those in the State Historic Preservation Office) who labored long hours to move the nomination forward in order to preserve labor history and to acknowledge that working people in West Virginia’s coalfields contributed mightily to this country’s labor history. The Commission’s unanimous vote was an acknowledgment of the importance of this piece of history. It is a tremendous demonstration of respect for Appalachians and their culture and heritage.

Almost two months after its vote, the Commission had still NOT sent the nomination on to the Keeper of the Registry for the next steps in the process. Thanks to FOM friend, attorney Bill Depaulo, who made the commission aware of a rule that required them to forward the nomination if they had not made the nominators aware of any problems within 45 days. The Keeper now has our nomination.