Originally written August 2012

Mine disaster is an unfortunate reality in coal country. Glen Rogers suffered numerous disasters, making it one of the most deadly mines in the state. Explosions from methane build-up, roof collapse and falling equipment are just some of the ways a mine can kill and it seems Glen Rogers had a share of them all. Around 160 workers were killed before the mine closed in the 1960s, according to The West Virginia Encyclopedia. Poor enforcement of mining regulations has plagued the industry even with more advocacy for safety.

What’s left of Glen Rogers is a hotel, company store and fueling station. The front porch of the hotel stretches nearly the whole length of the front façade before turning the left corner and ending on the rear side. A pentagram has been spray-painted on the concrete floor. People down the street have stored some of their belongings under the overhang of the porch. The fueling station is merely a husk. Thousands of pieces of glass in a myriad of colors cover the concrete floor. The company store’s floor is covered by pieces of its ceiling.

When I walked back down the road to my car after exploring the area, a man on a four-wheeler stopped and politely asked if I had seen his dog. After describing its color and size, he explained the last time it was loose it killed a neighbor’s goat. I said I had seen several running around but I couldn’t recall the one he was looking for and off he went after he thanking me. He was the only person I saw while in Glen Rogers.