In 1906, the Skelton mine emerged as a vital contributor to the coal industry, initially opened by Cranberry Fuel Co. Over the years, its significance expanded as, in 1935, the New River Company acquired not only Skelton but also the mines at Sprague and Cranberry from Cranberry Fuel.
The Skelton Company Store was located where the former Rite Aid building sits along Market Road.
A branch of the Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Railway ran in between the road and building, remnants of the right-of-way can still be seen here.
The Skelton mine played a pivotal role in the production of Beckley seam coal until 1985, a legacy that witnessed a shift in its later years when the coal was transported to the Meadow Creek prep plant and loadout.
However, the impact of the mine extends beyond its production history.
The 1960s marked a transformative period for the Skelton area, evolving from a coal camp into Beckley’s primary shopping center.
The once swampy bottom land underwent drainage initiatives, giving rise to a landscape dotted with stores and malls that reshaped the community.
Remarkably, amidst this transition, the Skelton mine persisted in its production, bearing witness to the changing face of its surroundings.
Today, the remnants of the Skelton coal camp coexist with a diverse array of commercial and retail facilities, showcasing the multifaceted evolution from an industrial hub to a vibrant shopping destination.
The story of Skelton shows the resilience of communities adapting to economic shifts, with echoes of its coal-mining past intertwined with the thriving commercial landscape that now defines the area as Beckley’s bustling shopping hub.
