Coal miners had a hard life, but there was also great pride in the communities and families that worked the mines. Here's a collection of photos that shows the hard work they did.
![](https://archiveproject.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/photos/photos/000/110/272/large/800px-Hazelton_coal_miners.jpg?1494901496)
Going down in to the mine in Hazleton, PA in 1905
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From 1906: This mine was located north of Marysville, Iowa and west of Bussey, Iowa. The locomotive uses the Morgan Rack combined third-rail and rack-traction system, and runs on 250-volt DC power at 80 horsepower on 36-inch gauge track. The man on the right is driving the locomotive; the other two men are standing behind it. This photograph was widely used in later Goodman Manufacturing Company advertising and it was used as a stock photo in articles about their mining machines.
![](https://archiveproject.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/photos/photos/000/110/275/large/1024px-Child_coal_miners__1908_.jpg?1494901748)
Child coal miners - drivers and mules, Gary, W. Va., mine. 1908
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Coal miner in Jenkins, Kentucky in 1935
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Coal Miners going home from work in West Virginia, 1938
![](https://archiveproject.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/photos/photos/000/110/277/large/751px-Miners_at_checking_counter_of_company_store._Pittsburgh_Coal_Company__Westland_Mine__Westland__Washington_County..._-_NARA_-_540257.jpg?1494901936)
Miners at checking counter of company store. Pittsburgh Coal Company, Westland Mine, Westland, Washington County, Pennsylvania. 12 June 1946
![](https://archiveproject.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/photos/photos/000/110/278/large/748px-Miners_checking_in_at_the_lamp_house_at_completion_of_morning_shift._Koppers_Coal_Division__Kopperston_Mines..._-_NARA_-_540920.jpg?1494902012)
August 22, 1946: Miners checking in at the lamp house at completion of morning shift. Koppers Coal Division, Kopperston Mines, Kopperston, Wyoming County, West Virginia.
![](https://archiveproject.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/photos/photos/000/110/279/large/779px-Harry_Fain__coal_loader__loads_%22bug_dust%22_which_is_mixed_slate_and_coal_ground_by_the_undercutting_machine._He_will..._-_NARA_-_541478.jpg?1494902175)
Harry Fain, coal loader, loads "bug dust" which is mixed slate and coal ground by the undercutting machine. He will load about 2 tons net coal in this operation. His total loading for the day will be 16-17 tons. Coal seam is 4 feet thick. Inland Steel Company, Wheelwright #1 & 2 Mines, Wheelwright, Floyd County, Kentucky. Sept 1946
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