Beckley, West Virginia—an Appalachian town shaped by coal, but its story runs deeper than the mines. Before settlers arrived, the land belonged to Indigenous tribes like the Moneton and Shawnee. When coal was discovered in the late 1800s, Beckley transformed from a quiet town into a bustling hub at the heart of America’s industrial rise. The Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine lets you experience the harsh conditions miners faced underground, where coal wasn’t just a resource—it was a way of life.
But Beckley isn’t all about coal. At the Tamarack Marketplace, local artisans showcase the vibrant culture of Appalachia through handmade crafts and artwork, proving there’s more to the region than its rugged history. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Allegheny Plateau, Beckley is a gateway to the natural beauty of southern West Virginia, where the mountains hold stories as old as time.
In Beckley, the past is always present—etched into the land and lived through its people. If you want to understand Appalachia, start here.
I'm Josh, and this has been a Mountain Roots Production. Thanks for joining me on this journey through Appalachia’s untold history.
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