Black Star Coal Camp, Kentucky

I was born in Alva, Kentucky on November 1st, 1933 to Gladys and Herbert Warfield. The mining-camp in Harlan County (owned by the mine operators - Kel-e-okie Company) was also known as Black Star. The mines shut down in the nineteen sixties, but some of us continue to communicate. "Growing Up At Black Star" submitted to newspaper "The Kentucky Explorer", February 2006 by past resident Nancy Hooker, is an exceptional personal review. Lita Helen Bowles

I was born in Black Star, Alva, Kentucky,1933 to Herbert Warfield and Gladys Steele. My mother's people were Williams and Steele. At that time the southeastern area mines were active with workers, trains, schools, a large company commissary, a restaurant, and churches. Today the Harlan County community does not exist (since 1960s. Most of the area has returned to its natural state with vegetation, trees, some iron railroad tracks, and the cold running creek now greeting visitors, if you can still get up there via the blacktop road. There are several past residents' contributions worth reviewing. Our love of Black Star is still alive today.

I was born, November 1, 1933 in Alva, Kentucky. Parents Herbert and Gladys (Steele) Warfield. Their parents were also living in the camp. We lived by the creek, half way up to the store and restaurant. My twin sisters, Patsy were also born in Black Star. Dad and some men moved their families to Barbourville and daily commuted back and forth. During World War II, dad ended up living away from home. Still involved with mining. In the 1950s the family returned to Black Star living in one of the two story houses by the creek. When the mines closed they moved to Ohio and later retired in Corbin, Kentucky. While there dad was murdered by two young male thrill seekers; caught and convicted. He was buried in Corbin and later Gladys followed.

The Black Star Coal Camp does not exist today. This southwestern Kentucky camp was closed several years ago. Today the area has returned to its natural wooded area. The creek running through the camp has cleansed itself of the washed coal. As of this date one can still drive up through Path Fork and enter. Many still have memories and are some published under the Camp name. We thank all the past residents that are sharing their photos and comments. The memories still linger and yearly meeting are held in souring areas. I am posting on July 12, 2014.