The area near the horse camp was the site of a coal mining town operated by Barren Fork Mining and Coal Company from 1881 to 1935. Here they mined what was considered some of the best quality low sulfur coal in McCreary County at the time. Over 100 families were thought to have lived and worked in the mining community. The mines were sold to Eagle Coal Company in 1895. The mines were closed in 1935 due to labor disputes. The land was then sold to the United States in 1936, but the minerals were reserved by the company and small mining operations continued until 1948. In this vicinity you may find the old foundations of some of the buildings that were part of the community. You may find mine portals in this area. DO NOT ENTER these, they may not contain sufficient oxygen and are not safe to enter.

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