Exploring Alabama – The Mystery of Marvel Mine

So much of our southern industrial heritage has fallen victim to either the Scrap heap or the Strip mine. The Cahaba Coal Fields were the foundation of industry and economic growth during the late 1800s and early 1900s.

I wanted to explore this location before it disappears forever.




What is known about this location?




The Roden Coal Company operated the Marvel Mines from 1906 until 1951. An explosion on October 22, 1916, killed 18 miners. This operation was large enough to be served by two separate railroads. Both Southern and L&N worked these mines using a single line in a joint partnership.
The following photos are how the operation looked around 1916.

This image shows the #1 & #2 shafts. They operated two separate coal seams.










This image circa 1930 shows the #1 shaft no longer in use. Notice the marble inlay at the top of the shaft.




I found this diagram of the site to better show the complete operation.
(Thanks to the unknown artist for a fantastic illustration)



Today several interesting ruins still remain.








The fan house still remains.








Recent logging operations have shown no respect for this historical treasure.

This is shaft # 1



Notice the marble inlay.



The trestle footings still remain.




This concrete water tower is another interesting example that is still in existence at Marvel.







The mines operated from 1951 to 1953 under a second company, but closed for good in 1953.

Thanks to Marshall Goggins and John Stewart for the information and old photos.




Now, off to examine Blocton.




The name of Blocton originates from a one-ton block of coal extracted from the rich Cahaba Coal Fields.



The coke ovens at Blocton were built by Truman Aldrich who organized the Cahaba Coal Mine Co. in 1883.

Built between 1888 and 1891, the ovens operated until 1904.




By 1890 the number of ovens had grown to 467 with an estimated output of 600 tons a day and were critical to the development of the iron and steel industry in the Birmingham area. This image shows the ovens in operation around 1899.



This small engine still remains at the site.






By 1928 freight costs were soaring and the Great Depression was the final demise of the operation.

The community of Blocton has saved this southern industrial historic treasure. 
 About 20 years ago stones from the coke oven site were being hauled away for a construction project at Tannehill. Local residents got interested in the ovens then and halted the removal.
The current Coke Oven Park restoration effort is being led by Elizabeth Salter, an Americorps/VISTA volunteer with the Cahaba River Society.

Cool pics... Nice history lesson... I would like to ride around that area and check all that stuff out...

Oh wow, exploring such places must be so much fun. More so on bike

Great pics. Got more ?

Nice. I never pictured Alabama with hills and coal mines.

wow, thanks again for another great report!

Another great report DeBandi!

Wow, I've never seen a concrete water tower, that's quite interesting. Enjoyed the old historical photos too.

Keep it up!

Another great report. This stuff is fascinating.

My sons and I did some exploring over spring break to visit the Sloss and Mary Lee mines. Report to follow in the coming days.

Now that's what I'm talkin about.

Looking forward to the report ADVKmac.

Thanks for sharing this history.

Another great report! Keep it up!

Hey, are you going to join me on the Vegas/Ghost Town/old mine tour at the end of May?

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=299813

Thanks Stuntman.

I wish I could go. It sounds like it's gonna be a trip of a lifetime. Unfortunately, my work schedule does not allow me to take off during that time.

Have a safe trip & I'm lookin forward to that ride report!

I love these kinds of reports. Well done!

That's about all Alabama has. Oh, and lots of iron ore mines. My father worked in one of those mines. They turned a small stream red when they finished their shift and showered. Wade

DeBande is my new favorite story teller. Thanks Pal for taking us with you!

Nice Report.

I like getting to know the historical perspective of an area.

Nice bike too.
Q~

Thanks, nice job.

Cool report, nice bike.

Awsome DeBandi! Thanx for sharing the history of these really cool places.

Way to bring the site back to life for us. Great report.