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The Tower
There was a time, in the area that makes up the Cahaba River Wildlife Management Area, when coal was king. The Cahaba River Basin Coal Fields, or simply Cahaba Coal Fields, were the foundation of industry and economic growth during the late 1800s and early 1900s in Shelby County. Underground mining of the Cahaba Coal Fields was big business from roughly 1870 to the 1950s; it reached its peak between 1900 and 1929. Small mining towns and camps sprang up all along the Cahaba River wherever the mining company established a new dig. Some of the towns were Marvel, Gurnee Junction, Coalena, Piper, West Blocton, Mayberry, Pea Ridge, Dogwood, Boothton, Coalmont, Scratch Ankle, and many more. The underground mining of coal was hard and often dangerous work. The pay was not great, but there were other benefits. The miners were provide health care and often the mining companies would build schools and churches for the families in the mining towns. Miners were also provided with low cost housing for themselves and their families, and the coal companies maintained a "company store" in most all of the towns. On Saturdays, most of the stores would stay open late to allow the miners and their families to shop. As you drive through Marvel (and most any of the other old mining towns), you can see many of the homes that the miners used back in the hey day of mining in the Cahaba Coal Field. Marvel, as well as all of the other "coal towns", were thriving communities. Try and imagine the vibrant community that once was Marvel, AL. Imagine a water tower in her prime, overlooking the miners and their families on a lazy Saturday afternoon as they shop and visit with friends.
Marvel, AL
DIRECTIONS: From Helena at the intersection of Hwy 52 and Hwy 17, turn South on Hwy 17. Turn Right on Co. Rd. 22 towards Dogwood. When 22 intersects Co. Rd. 10, turn Right on 10. This will take you down past the Checking Station. Remain on Co. Rd. 10 and pass by Co. Rd.251 (the road to the Old Slab). The next paved road on the right is the road to the New Slab...the town of Marvel, and the Marvel Water Tower, is about 2 miles past the road to the New Slab. The reclaimed Marvel Coal Mine is about 2/10th of a mile past the water tower. The road takes a few curves along the way. Just stay on the main road and you will get there. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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