Boom and Bust in the Hocking Valley Coal Fields:
Landscapes of Industrial Settlement

A proposal for the 1998-1999 Library of Congress / Ameritech National Digital Library Competition

This proposal was not funded and is not available online.

MATERIALS TO BE DIGITIZED: 500+ items, ca.3600 images

• Pictorial Images
  • List of Materials
  • Sample Images
• Maps
  • List of Materials
  • Sample Images
• Manuscript Format
  • List of Materials
  • Sample Images
• Printed Matter
  • List of Materials
  • Sample Images

Pictorial Items (photographs) - 300 items, ca. 300 images

1. Frank Buhla Photographic Collection. MSS 113. - Black and white photos of Hocking Valley coal mines, coal miners, coal towns, company stores, schools, sport teams, etc. 200 images. (sample images)

2. Jud Matheny Collection, Ohio University Archives and Special Collections photo subject files. - Black and white photos of Hocking Valley coal mining themes. 20 images.

3. Nelsonville Foundry and Machine Company Collection, 1886-1950. MSS 099. - Athens Co. company. Selected blueprints of mine cars and coal tipples/hoppers in use during the heyday of the Hocking Valley coal fields. Finding Aid. Image in 20 tiled sections.

4. Ohio University Archives and Special Collections photo subject files. - Black and white photos of Hocking Valley coal mining themes. 20 images. (sample images)

5. Sunday Creek Mining Photo Collection. Collection of Sunday Creek Associates. - Black and white photos of Hocking Valley coal mining themes. 20 images.

6. United Mine Workers of America, District No. 6. MSS 071. - 20 selected black and white photos, primarily of early UMWA officials and conventions. 20 images. (MSS 071 cross listed under printed matter) (sample images)

MAPS - 27 items, ca.385 images

1. Columbus & Hocking Coal & Iron Company Collection. MSS 155. - 6 very large, hand drawn, hand colored maps 1873-1920, representing the mines and company towns over period of time. Mine galleries color-coded by the year of work; most on chartex, some with colored silk binding; sizes vary between 40"x40" and 58"x96". 3 blue line coal mine maps. Both can be paired with Sanborn maps for further comparison over time. 230 images in tiled sections. (collection primarily manuscript materials and cross listed there) (sample images)

2. Geological Survey (U.S.) New Lexington Quadrangle, Ohio-Perry Co., 1911: 15 Minute Series (topographical). 1/62500 scale. Collection of Ohio University Geography Dept. - Images in 4 tiled sections. (sample image)

3. Geological Survey (U.S.) Logan Quadrangle, Ohio-Hocking Co., 1907. 15 Minute Series (topographical). 1/62500 scale. Collection of Ohio University Geography Dept. - Images in 4 tiled sections.

4. Local Government Records, Perry Co., Auditor, Oil & Gas Well Plat Maps, 1911-1920 - Blue lines that illustrate the frequent connection between coal, oil, and gas resources in the mineral-rich areas of the Appalachian range. 6 maps, image in 50 tiled sections.

5. Local Government Records, Perry Co., Auditor / Recorder, Coal Mine Maps, 1908-1920. - Blue lines. 6 maps, image in 70 tiled sections. (sample images)

6. Ohio. Commissioners of Public Printing. Railroad Map of Ohio, 1914 prepared under the direction of Commissioners of Public Printing of State of Ohio. [map]. Columbus: Published by the State : Columbus Lithograph Company, 1914. Alden Arch. Ohioana G4081 .P3 1914x. Scale: ca. [1:500000]; 1 map : col. (mounted on linen) ; 73 x 83 cm. - More recent date than those currently found in American Memory. Image in 12 tiled sections.

7. Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps. Ohio [microform]. Pelham, N.Y.: Sanborn Map Co., 1883-1950. Reel 42. 6832 New Straitsville. Collection of Nancy R. Bain. - Bird's eye maps showing building and street layouts for dwellings and structures in larger towns and for smaller coal mine communities in the vicinity. Image in 10 tiled sections.

8. Young, J. H. The Tourist's Pocket Map of the State of Ohio, Exhibiting its Internal Improvements, Roads, Distances etc. Philadelphia: S.A. Mitchell, 1839. 1 p. : folded map; hand colored; 38.5 by 31.8 cm. Cover title: Mitchell's Map of Ohio. Alden Arch. Ohioana G 4080 1839 Y6x. - Image in 4 tiled sections.

MANUSCRIPT FORMAT - 11 collections, ca.1130 images

1. Columbus & Hocking Coal & Iron Company Collection, ca.1873-1930 (bulk 1880s). MSS 155. 80 cu. ft. - Known as "the syndicate," C&HC&I formed in 1883 when fifteen coal and iron concerns came together as an early mining corporation. Letter books, time books, pay books, rent books, company store accounts, purchase accounts, maps, etc. Employees often listed with job classifications, wages paid, rent paid, and company store receipts-- names frequently are indexed and easily found. Also includes materials from predecessor companies: Longstreth Property, Straitsville Coal Co., Straitsville Central Mining Co., Thomas Coal Co. Works, Winona Iron Co., and Murray City Coal Co. Selected portions- image and rekey, 1000p. (cross listed under maps) (sample images)

2. Andrew Crawford Collection, 1885-1932 (bulk 1891-1920), MSS 019. Physician, employed by coal and railroad companies, practicing in small Athens county coal town of Glouster. - Ledgers of injured coal miners. Selected portions- image and rekey, 10p.

3. Federal Census - Manuscript census returns employed in profiles of workers. Selected portions- image and rekey, 10p.

4. Fraternal Organizations, MSS 038. New Straitsville, Perry Co.: Degree of Pocahontas (ladies auxiliary, Improved Order of Red Men) Swastika Council #23. Roll of Chiefs and Minute Books, 1911-1918; Cash Book and Collections, 1911-1918; Official Membership Charter, nd. Ohio Rebekah Assembly of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Woodline Lodge #100. Visitors Book, 1893-1920. - Selected portions- image and rekey, 15p. (sample images)

5. Local Government Records, Athens Co., 1870-1920 & Hocking Co., 1870-1897, Naturalization Records. - Two types: 1) Declarations of Intention: Contains declaration of intention to become a citizen showing applicant, address, occupation, age, gender, race, physical description, nativity, date of birth, date of entrance into the US, point of emigration, method of crossing, names and addresses of children, and date filed. 2) Final Petitions and Record: Contains complete record of naturalization proceedings showing name and nativity of applicant including copy of original Declaration of Intent, certificate of arrival, petitions for naturalization, and affidavits of witnesses showing date petition granted or denied. Includes the occupation of the petitioner and information on marriages and years and locations for the birth of children. The most informative are those created after 1906. The record copy went to the federal government but copies kept in the local naturalization court are official records. These have rich micro-level family and social history data for community study. Selected portions- image and rekey, 20p. (sample images)

6. Local Government Records, Hocking Co. County Auditor, Real Estate Reappraisal Record (Assessment Lists), 1870-1910. - Reassessments of taxable level for real estate property done once each decade. These land record volumes include a hand-written plat map for property in a one-mile square scale. Selected portions- image and rekey, 20p.

7. Local Government Records, Perry Co., Clerk of Courts, Coroners Inquests, 1864-1910. - For deaths from accidental or suspicious causes, such as caused by a roof fall or explosion in a coal mine. Selected portions- image and rekey, 10p. (sample images)

8. Local Government Records, Perry Co., Poll Books and Tally Sheets, 1870-1897. - List of persons who signed in for a ballot at the polls and voted on election day, and the sheet that shows the number of votes candidates received in a given precinct. Tally sheets report candidates (and parties) that prevailed in mine region contests. - Selected portions- image and rekey, 5p.

9. State of Ohio, Perry Co. Quadrennial Enumerations, 1867-1887. - Used to determine voting districts, taken every four years 1803-1911, counting each male citizen over the age of 21. Citizens of African descent were to be listed as "colored". Booklets were at township or precinct level; those enumerated were listed alphabetically by the initial letter of the surname. - Selected portions- image and rekey, 20p. (sample images)

10. Sunday Creek Company. Report on Sunday Creek Company's Ohio and West Virginia Mining Properties by F.A. Ray, Mining Engineer. Columbus, Ohio: March 6, 1908. Ohio University Archives and Special Collections VF 101-2 (1). Typescript, 170 p. - Selected portions- rekey, 30p.

11. Weethee, J.P. Ledger, 1872. Ledger titled "Mineral Lands Purchased in Dover and Trimble for Gen. Thomas Ewing from May 1872 to [March 1876]" consisting of holograph copies of letters sent to Weethee from Ewing regarding land purchases for which Weethee acted as agent. Also contains Weethee's diary, 1879-1882, with sermon and lecture notes. 237 p. - Weethee purchases option and property mineral rights; shows vision of modern mining system. Selected portions- image and rekey, 30p. (sample images)

PRINTED MATTER - 30 vols, ca.1750 images

1. Andrews, E. B. Letter of Prof. E. B. Andrews, ... on the Coal and Iron Deposits of the Upper Sunday Creek and Moxahala Valleys, in Perry County, Ohio. Columbus, Printed at Ohio State Journal Office, 1873. Alden Arch. Ohioana TN24.O3 A5x. 44 p. illus., map. - Image and text, 10p.

2. Bush, Fred W. Centennial Atlas of Athens County, Ohio. 1905. Alden Arch Ref G1398.A8 B8 1905x. - Lithographic prints showing connection between coal mines and railroads; pastoral, town, and mine scenes; township plat maps showing coal mine company land ownership.. 15 black and white images.

3. Colborn, Ephraim S. History of Perry County. [Chicago] : [W.H. Beers], [1883]. Alden Arch. Ohioana F497.P4 C64x. 596 p., [6] leaves of plates : ill., ports., col., fold. map. - Selected portions- image and text, 40p. (sample images)

4. Columbus & Hocking Coal & Iron Co. Columbus & Hocking Coal & Iron Co. and the Mineral Resources and Industries of the Hocking Valley. New York: Globe Stationery & Printing Co., 1883. 33p. Microfilm, Collection of Ohio Historical Society. OHS PA Box 55/13. - Image and text, 35p.

5. Evans, Chris. History of United Mine Workers of America. Indianapolis [1918?-20]. Alden Archives HD6515.M7 U83. Vol. I. 1860-1890.-Vol II. 1890-1900. - Image and text, 50p. (sample images)

6. General Business Review of Hocking County, Ohio for 1890. Business Review of Athens County. Newark, Ohio: American Publishing, 1890. 110 p. Alden Arch. Ohioana F497.H68 G46 1890x. - Selected portions- image and text, 30p. (sample images)

7. Gibson, R. M. Photographic History of New Straitsville, O., 1907 : Most Enterprising Mining Town of Ohio : population over 3,500. Assisted by Mr. E.S. Martin. Newark, O.: Ohio Advertising Co., 1907. 32 p. Microfilm, Collection of Ohio Historical Society. OHS PA Box 524/7. - Image and text, 35p.

8. Hillis, L. B. Book of Perry County: An Historic, Industrial Portfolio. A Brief History of Perry County, Ohio: Its Glorious Past, Substantial Present and Bright Future. New Lexington Herald, 1909. Alden Archives Ref. F497.P4 B6 1909x. 43 p. - Selected portions- image and text, 10p.

9. History of Hocking Valley, Ohio. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co., 1883. Alden Arch. Ohioana F497.H7 H6. 1392 p. - Chapters and sections that cover mining activity in Athens and Hocking counties plus chapter on mineral resources by Weethee. Selected portions- image and text, 100p.

10. Hocking-Sunday Creek Traction Company. Prospectus and Report. [1910]. Ohio University Archives and Special Collections VF 101-5. - Selected portions- rekey, 10p.

11. Howe, Henry. Historical Collections of Ohio ... an encyclopedia of the state: history both general and local, geography with descriptions of its counties, cities, and villages, its agricultural, manufacturing, mining and business development, sketches of eminent and interesting characters, etc., with notes of a tour over it in 1886. Illustrated by about 700 engravings. Alden Archives Ohioana F491 .H843. The Ohio Centennial ed. Cincinnati: State of Ohio, 1908 - Selected chapters on Athens, Hocking and Perry counties- image and text, 100p.

12. Hunt, Thomas Sterry. Coal And Iron in Southern Ohio. The Mineral Resources of the Hocking Valley: Being an Account Of its Coals, Iron-Ores, Blast-Furnaces, and Railroads, With a Map. Boston: S. E. Cassino, 1881. 152 p. Alden Arch. Ohioana TN805.O3 H8. - Selected portions- image and text, 100p. (sample images)

13. Lake, D.J. Atlas of Athens Co., Ohio. 1875. Alden Arch. Ohioana G1398.A8 L3 1875.
14. ________. Atlas of Hocking Co., Ohio. 1875. Philadelphia: Titus, Simmons & Titus, 1876.
15. ________. Atlas of Perry Co., Ohio. 1875. Alden Arch. Ohioana G1398.P4 L3 1875. - Lithographic prints showing connection between coal mines and railroads; pastoral, town, and mine scenes; township plat maps showing coal mine company land ownership.. 20 black and white images.

16. The Lower Sunday Creek Valley: Its Coals and Iron Ores; its Shipping and Manufacturing Facilities. With a view of the markets for the Hocking Coals. Columbus, Ohio: Ohio State Journal, 1875. 67 p. 2 fold. maps. Alden Arch. Ohioana TN24.O3 L9. - Selected portions- image and text, 5p. (sample images)

17. Macfarlane, James. The Coal Regions of America: Their Topology, Geology, and Development. New York: D. Appleton and Co., 1873. 679 p. Alden Arch. Ohioana TN805.A5 M2. - Selected portions- image and text, 35 p. (sample images)

18. Murray City, Ohio, Historical and Industrial, 1907. 24 p. Ohio University Archives and Special Collections VF 105-10 (3). - Selected portions rekeyed, 10p.

19. Ohio. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Annual Report. Columbus, Oh. Serial. 1877-1912. (UMWA, Dist. 6 Coll. MSS 071) - Selected essays, reports, and statistics- image and text, 100p.

20. Ohio. Geologist. First-[Second] Annual Report on the Geological Survey of the State of Ohio. [1837-1838] By W. W. Mather, principal geologist.... Alden Arch. Ohioana QE151 .G4 1838y. - Selected portions-- image and text, 20p.

21. Ohio. Inspector of Mines. Annual Report of the Chief Inspector of Mines for the Year Ending.... Serial. Columbus, O.: 1885-1913, scattered holdings. (UMWA Coll. MSS 071) - Invaluable source for descriptions of the mines and conditions- includes paragraph on each Ohio mine; production, accidents and deaths charted. Also catalogs technical innovation. Selected portions- image and text, 400p. (sample images)

22. Ohio Mining Journal, 1895-1896. (John Owens Coll. MSS 041) - Proceedings of the Ohio Institute of Mining Engineers, features spirited debates on new techniques and machinery, and their effects on workers. 160 pp. Selected portions-- image and text, 120 pages.

23. O'Malley, T.T. Adventures in the Mines: Or Perils Underground; the Great Mining Disasters of the World from 1812 to the Present Time.... Akron: Werner Printing & Litho. Co., 1891 (1892 printing) 384 p. Alden Arch. Ohioana TN311 .O54 1892x. - Selected portions-- image and text, 10p.

24. Riley, Isaac B. Coal and Iron Ores of the "Great Vein" Region: With Maps and Illustrations. Cleveland, Ohio : Nevins' Printing House, 1873. Alden Arch. Ohioana TN24.O3 R6 1873x. 41 p., 4 leaves of plates : 2 fold. maps. - Selected portions-- images, 6p.

25. Roy, Andrew. A History of The Coal Miners of The United States, From the Development of the Mines to the Close of the Anthracite Strike of 1902..., 3rd ed., rev. and enl. Columbus, O.: J.L. Trauger Printing Co. [c1907]. Alden Arch. Ohioana HD8039.M62 U66. 465 p. - Selected portions-- image and text, 100p. (sample images)

26. United Mine Workers of America, District No. 6 Collection, MSS 071 and John Owens Collection, MSS 041. - Bound volumes 1890-1920 (most present) for International and District: Minutes, Proceedings, Constitutions, Contracts, Scale, etc. Pamphlet with initiation ceremony written in five languages, campaign badges. Selected essays, reports, and statistics-- image and text, 200p. (MSS 071 cross listed under pictorial)

27. United States. Bureau of Labor. Annual Report of the Commissioner of Labor. Washington, D.C. : Government Printing Office, 1886-1888. Alden Library Government Docs OYL 28.1. United States. Dept. of Labor. Annual Report of the Commissioner of Labor. Washington, D.C. : Government Printing Office, 1889-1902. Alden Library Government Docs. - Selected statistics and figures- image only, 50p.

28. Weethee, J.P. Salina and Chauncey Mineral District : Description, History and Geological Analysis. Athens, Ohio: Journal print, 1892. Alden Arch. Ohioana TN23.2 .S3x. 25p. - Selected portions- image and text, 5p.

29. Weethee, J.P. Sunday Creek Valley: Its Mineral Resources and Prospective Wealth. Athens, Ohio: Journal Print, 1892. Alden Arch. Ohioana TN23.2 .S8x. 40 p. - Selected portions- image and text, 5p.

30. Newspaper Articles
    1. Athens County Gazette, 1897-1909 (Athens, Athens Co.)
    2. Athens Messenger; Athens Daily Messenger; Athens Messenger and Herald, 1870-1920 (title changes) (Athens, Athens Co.)
    3. Democrat Sentinel, 1906-1920 (Logan, Hocking Co.)
    4. Glouster Gazette, 1896-1920 (Glouster, Athens Co.)
    5. Glouster Press, 1890-1891 (Glouster, Athens Co.)
    6. Hocking Sentinel, 1860-1864; 1866-1906 (Logan, Hocking Co.)
    7. Hocking Valley Gazette, 1877-1883 (Logan, Hocking Co.)
    8. Hocking Valley Journal & Gazette, 1892-1895 (Logan, Hocking Co.) (sample images)
    9. Hocking Journal Gazette, 1895-1909 (Logan, Hocking Co.)
    10. Logan Republican, 1871 -1882 (Logan, Hocking Co.)
    11. Murray City Sun, 9 Mar 1916 (Murray City, Hocking Co.)
    12. New Straitsville Record, 1897; 1902; 1902-1904; 1908-1911 (New Straitsville, Perry Co.)
    13. People's Advocate, 1876-1920 (Shawnee, Perry Co.)
    14. Republican Gazette, 1884-1895 (Logan, Hocking Co.)

        - All newspapers are on microfilm. Selected articles illustrating both everyday life and significant events in Hocking Valley communities- 125 images and text for a total of 100 articles.