Exploring Alabama – The Mystery of Marvel Mine

DeBandi · 03-29-2008, 09:17 AM

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.

Swamp boy · 03-29-2008, 09:26 AM

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

Chanderjeet · 03-29-2008, 09:57 AM

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

Great pics. Got more ?

RockyRaccoon · 03-29-2008, 10:09 AM

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

catadjuster · 03-29-2008, 01:10 PM

wow, thanks again for another great report!

mel brooks · 03-29-2008, 01:27 PM

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!

GB · 03-29-2008, 02:28 PM

Thanks for another chapter in your Explore Alabama reports!!

ADVKmac · 03-30-2008, 10:37 AM

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.

DeBandi · 03-30-2008, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ADVKmac

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.

Norhasken · 03-30-2008, 05:51 PM

Thanks for sharing this history.

Stuntman · 03-30-2008, 06:17 PM

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

DeBandi · 03-30-2008, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuntman

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!

SimpleSimon · 03-30-2008, 08:34 PM

I love these kinds of reports. Well done!

Ridge Rider · 04-02-2008, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kurt

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

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

Madhouse · 04-02-2008, 06:23 PM

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

03-29-2008, 09:57 AM	#3
Chanderjeet IndiYeah !! Joined: Mar 2006 Location: New Delhi, India Oddometer: 5,598	Oh wow, exploring such places must be so much fun. More so on bike Great pics. Got more ? __________________ Himalayas on a Motorcycle - Photography book by Chanderjeet Mango Lassi of the bumfucked hillbillies MC

03-29-2008, 01:27 PM	#6
mel brooks Dirt Chick Joined: Nov 2006 Location: Western NC Oddometer: 1,688	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! __________________ KLX 351 Super Moto, 292cc Super Sherpa “Everytime I start thinkin’ the world is all bad, then I start seeing some people out having a good time on motorcycles and it makes me take another look.” Steve McQueen, On Any Sunday

03-29-2008, 02:28 PM	#7
GB Mod Squad Joined: Aug 2002 Location: Toronto, ON Oddometer: 53,463	Thanks for another chapter in your Explore Alabama reports!! __________________ ADV decals, patches & flag? Here

03-30-2008, 05:51 PM	#10
Norhasken Tryin' to find my way Joined: Aug 2007 Location: On the couch Oddometer: 15,833	Thanks for sharing this history. __________________ "Hmm, tricky. I think he believed in something, if you understand my meaning."

03-30-2008, 06:17 PM	#11
Stuntman Studly Adventurer Joined: May 2006 Location: Don't know...I'm lost. Oddometer: 677	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 __________________ Bring a compass, it's awkward when you have to eat your friends.

03-29-2008, 09:17 AM	#1
DeBandi ^OP Exploring Alabama Joined: Dec 2006 Location: Blount Springs, AL Oddometer: 3,090	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. __________________ Explore / Dream / Discover DeBandi Visit ExploringAlabama.net State Oval Decals Available

03-29-2008, 09:26 AM	#2
Swamp boy Smart Ass Joined: Jan 2008 Location: To close to New Orleans to go unarmed. Oddometer: 155	Cool pics... Nice history lesson... I would like to ride around that area and check all that stuff out...

03-29-2008, 10:09 AM	#4
RockyRaccoon Found:Gideon's Bible Joined: Jul 2001 Location: Collapsed in the Corner Oddometer: 53,669	Nice. I never pictured Alabama with hills and coal mines.

03-29-2008, 01:10 PM	#5
catadjuster Adventurer Joined: Nov 2006 Oddometer: 39	wow, thanks again for another great report!

03-30-2008, 10:37 AM	#8
ADVKmac Adventurer Joined: Dec 2007 Location: Madison, Alabama Oddometer: 37	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.

03-30-2008, 08:34 PM	#13
SimpleSimon Aspiring advrider Joined: Feb 2007 Location: Lake Stevens, WA Oddometer: 3,345	I love these kinds of reports. Well done! __________________ 5f? Is that like riding down a 90 degree cliff face into a lake of fire? I thought 4f was bad. Abdelhub "Assembled Spectator Scoring With Incriminating Photographic Evidence" or A.S.S.W.I.P.E. - Granparacer

04-02-2008, 06:23 PM	#15
Madhouse Semi-Goodlookin! Joined: Nov 2004 Location: Cantonment Florida Oddometer: 2,605	DeBande is my new favorite story teller. Thanks Pal for taking us with you! __________________

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