April 21, 2025 - On Saturday, “Pocahontas Exhibition Coal Mine” reopened for the season. The mine got its start in 1882 as the first coal mine in the area.

Although it later closed as a mine, it opened for tours in the 1930s, still bringing visitors to this day. Despite this, it’s still a hidden gem in the area, with Dale Hawkins, a tour guide here, saying even some locals haven’t been inside.

“We were here Thursday and there was a man who lived just out of town who had never been here. And he got to go through, and he was so appreciative and said he was going to tell everyone,” says Hawkins.

Hawkins says the mine sees more than a thousand visitors annually, some out-of-town and some locals who make a point of coming back every year. However, she says tourism really picked up in recent years thanks to ATV enthusiasts, who she says are here “constantly” to see the mine and museum.

“The ATV riders really seem to be interested in history, anything historical, and they love the fact that with the coal mine, is the museum. And the museum is filled with artifacts and pictures that they can look at...” says Hawkins.

We spoke to Aaron Casto, a returning ATV visitor who lives locally but wanted to introduce his out-of-state friends to the history of the area.

“...Really enjoyed it, very informational. I love the history of coal mining, and it made this country. It really did. So, I really like it a whole lot and I love enjoying sharing it with people,” says Casto.

Hawkins says this mine played an important role in the history of the area and the nation, fueling ships in the World Wars and being the reason that the town of Pocahontas was created. However, she says the role the mine plays is still “very important,” helping to bring people to Pocahontas and teach them about the town’s past.

“If you’ve never been in a coal mine, if you’ve never been here, you really need to come. It is a one-of-a-kind mine in the United States; there’s nothing else like it. There’s other coal mines, but nothing like ours,” says Hawkins.

If you’d like to check out the Pocahontas Exhibition Coal Mine for yourself, it is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and is open on Thursdays as well starting in May. The times are 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on most days and 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Sundays.

They will also begin the Town of Pocahontas tour that includes the mine tour on May 3rd.