- Item
- 1944-03-18
Part of Richards Studio Photographs
Wilkeson Products interior and exterior of mine. Many mines in Wilkeson, Washington closed in 1938, but then reopened to assist in the production of coke needed for the war effort. Interior view of Wilkeson Coal & Coke Co. mining plant, railway tracks where freight cars were used to bring in mining equipment and take out coal are visible. Financed by the U.S. government-sponsored Defense Plant Corporation, the Wilkeson Products mine began operations in 1943. It was to be a short-lived venture as the mine struggled to produce coal, despite the vast amounts invested in machinery and construction. It closed on November 22, 1944, having produced less than 1% of Washington coal production during the war effort. (Kombol, Bill, '"When Coal Was King," Voice of the Valley, 12-27-2011)
Coke industry--Wilkeson; Coal--Wilkeson; Mine railroads--Wilkeson; Coal mining--Wilkeson; Wilkeson Coal & Coke Co. (Wilkeson); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Wilkeson;