Coal Camps: The Evolution of Mining Communities
In the early days of the mining industry, the creation of a coal mine necessitated the creation of a town. Because mines were typically established in remote, unsettled areas lacking existing infrastructure or all-weather roads, miners had to live in immediate proximity to their workplace. This necessity gave rise to the coal camp, a specialized settlement designed to support the industrial needs of the operator and the basic survival of the workforce.
The Stages of Camp Development
The birth of a coal camp followed a predictable pattern of growth, moving from temporary shelters to a structured community. Initially, these sites mirrored railroad and logging camps, beginning with makeshift facilities such as tents, shacks, and shanties used for dining, housing, and storage.
As the operation stabilized, more permanent structures were erected. The first of these were typically log cabin storehouses, which were soon followed by essential industrial and administrative buildings, including:
- Kitchens and dining facilities
- Lumber mills
- Smithies (blacksmith shops)
- Management offices
- Permanent worker housing
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Within approximately one year, these clusters evolved into full communities. To accommodate a fluctuating workforce, operators built boardinghouses for new hires and transient workers, creating a tiered housing system based on employment status.
The Role of the Company Store and Scrip
The social and economic heart of the coal camp was the Company Store. For the families and wives of miners, this building was often the most essential structure in the entire town, serving as the primary source of supplies.
To maintain economic control, companies frequently utilized scrip—a form of token money issued by the employer instead of legal tender. By paying workers in scrip, the company discouraged miners from spending their earnings at stores outside the camp, effectively keeping the capital within the company's own ecosystem.
Community Growth and Land Management
As the population grew, the camp expanded to include social infrastructure. While the employer might provide some funding, churches and schools were typically financed by the residents themselves.
From a business perspective, the coal operator viewed the land as a financial asset to be managed. To avoid paying land taxes on unprofitable areas, operators would divest these lands as quickly as possible. They recouped their initial capital by subdividing the tracts and selling off individual lots and the housing they had previously constructed.
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Key Facts
- Necessity: Camps were built because mines were located in unsettled areas with no existing housing or roads.
- Progression: Settlements evolved from tents and shanties to log cabins and eventually permanent community structures.
- Economic Control: The use of scrip (token money) tied workers to the Company Store.
- Funding: While the company built the industrial base, residents usually financed their own schools and churches.
- Divestment: Operators sold off subdivided lots and housing to recoup capital and avoid land taxes.
| Phase | Primary Structures | Economic/Social Driver |
|---|---|---|
| Initial | Tents, shanties, shacks | Immediate survival and storage |
| Early Permanent | Log cabins, smithies, mills | Industrial operational needs |
| Community | Boardinghouses, Company Store | Workforce stability and retail control |
| Mature | Schools, churches, subdivided lots | Social growth and capital recoupment |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were coal camps necessary?
They were necessary because mines were opened in remote, unsettled areas. Due to the lack of all-weather roads and travel infrastructure, miners had to live very close to the mine to be able to work.
What was scrip and how was it used?
Scrip was a form of token money issued by the coal company. It was used to pay workers, which discouraged them from shopping at external stores and forced them to use the Company Store.
Who paid for the schools and churches in these camps?
While the employer might occasionally donate funds, these community structures were typically financed by the residents of the camp.
How did coal operators make money from the land?
Operators recouped capital by subdividing the land into lots and selling the housing they had built, while also divesting unprofitable land to avoid paying land taxes.
What were the first permanent buildings usually constructed?
The first permanent structures were typically log cabin storehouses, followed by kitchens, lumber mills, smithies, and management offices.