The "suburbs" of Nemacolin, often called "Jew Hill," predated the town's planned housing. It served as a vital commercial alternative to the company store and a social hub for miners. The area is remembered for its resilience despite numerous fires and the complex social dynamics of the Prohibition era.
Explore the history of Jew Hill through this interactive presentation.
Explore the history of Our Lady of Consolation through this interactive presentation.
At mile 76.5 on the Monongahela River is a small man-made mountain. Comprised of debris from a former deep coal mine, this 187-acre refuse pile represents a significant chapter of the region's industrial history. Currently, some 300,000 gallons of water are treated daily to protect the river from acidic runoff.
Nemacolin, Pennsylvania (15351), holds a detailed history spanning from 1917 to the present. The town's identity was forged by the Buckeye Coal Company, serving the Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. Strategically located on the west bank of the Monongahela, it was a modern marvel of engineering for its time.
It's been a long time, since I been home.
It's been a long time, since I been home.
It's been a long time, since I been home.
And I a'int goin soon
No, I a'int goin back soon.
I was born in a coal camp, stars at my head
And mountains as far as I could see.
Got to work every day
And I made a big pay
There was honey in the horn for me,
And the coal dust blows, like a dark summer snow,
but I don't hear the roar of the tipple any more
or the whine of the trucks on the line.
Now the town's all gone,
It's gone away.
The town's all gone,
It's gone away.
Now the town's all gone,
It's gone away.
The people are straw, the wind has blowed away.
I was born in the holler that was lonesome and long,
And the sun didn't shine all the day
But the banjoes in the night and the stars big light
Was pleasures that I wanted to stay.
How could anybody know ?
That the next year or so,
We would all be a wanderin over mountain and plain
Tryin to plant our roots again.
It's been a long time, since I been home.
It's been a long time, since I been home.
It's been a long time, since I been home.
And I ain't goin soon;
No, I ain't goin back soon.