The Town of Appalachia erected the Louis E. Henegar Miner’s Memorial Park and Miner’s Memorial Wall in 1999. This park is dedicated to Louis E. Henegar, a local mining historian and a member of the Lynch District Mine Rescue team, and to Appalachia underground miners who labored and died in ‘the building of America.’ Included in the park are two memorial walls made of brick. Each brick contains the name of a coal miner who worked in Appalachia and the coal mine in which they worked.
One wall is dedicated to ‘All coal miners and their families. Those of years past, those who labor today, and those in the years to come.’ The other wall is dedicated to a man named Brownie E. Polly Sr. for his ‘heroism in rescuing 77 miners [from the] Derby No. 3 Mine Explosion [on] August 6, 1934.’ Also included in this park are several large pieces of mining equipment. The other wall is dedicated to Sam Church, Jr., who was the president of the United Mine Workers of America from 1979-1982.
“Louis E. Henegar Miner’s Memorial Park & Miner’s Memorial Wall” photos by Zoe Brooks
Further Readings:
Sam Church, Who Led United Mine Workers, Dies at 72
Dennis Hevesi, “Sam Church, Who Led United Mine Workers, Dies at 72,” in The New York Times, 2009.
Report of Explosion Derby #3 Mine, Stonega Coke and Coal Company
Derby, Virginia
Joseph F. Davies, “Report of Explosion Derby #3 Mine, Stonega Coke and Coal Company, Derby, Virginia,” United States Bureau of Mines, Department of Labor, in the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration Digital Library, 1934.
Virginia Mine Accident Index
“Virginia Mine Accident Index,” from The United States Mine Rescue Association, 1854-1967.
Appalachian Memorial Honors Coal Miners
Amy Hillenburg, “Appalachian Memorial Honors Coal Miners,” from The Reporter Times, 2004.