Coalwood Today
Home of the Rocket Boys from October Sky
A lot has happened in Coalwood since I posted this April 1999, so my title is a bit out of date. I haven't seen the reconstructed Cape Coalwood launch site yet, but hope to stop down for another visit soon. Some of the changes are mentioned in comments from readers on theRocket Boys Comments page.
I loved the movie October Sky (Universal Pictures, 1999) and even more the Rocket Boys book (Homer H. Hickam; Delacorte Press). I haven't cried so much since Old Yeller came out. I was curious to see what the real Coalwood, WV is like today.
Some of the things mentioned here are related to the book and were not included in the movie. You've got to read the book. It's amazing. But, if you haven't seen the movie, see it first. The movie is wonderful, but you might be disappointed if you read the book first. Spring for the hardcover book with the Rocket Boys title and the great jacket design by Phil Rose, rather than the October Sky paperback with the cheesy movie cover.
Friend and fellow photographer Jay Best and I left for Coalwood March 26, 1999 from my home in Morgantown, spending Friday night in Beckley at the former Charles Motel (now a Budget Motel). Not a too bad place despite the grumpy innkeeper.
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Saturday morning we drove on down through Wyoming County, past the old coal camp of Slab Fork, through Mullens, and into Welch in McDowell County. You may view panoramic photos of Slab Fork and Mullens.These are large photos. You may also see smaller versions of these and other panoramics by "Red" Ribble, along with information about these historic photos.
We very reluctantly gave up on finding a local place for breakfast and ended up at McDonalds. It was a short drive from there on down to Coalwood. I don't know what impression you got from the book and movie, but I was surprised at the size of the town. There is a stretch of houses along the main road (WV 16), then the main part of town extends back up the hollow from there; maybe 100 houses total today. We heard numbers of 1600 to 4500 people at Coalwood's peak. After a quick look around, we went back out to the Country Corner on 16. This is the main (maybe the only) business in Coalwood, serving as grocery, restaurant, and gas station. It also seems to be the local meeting place, and tourist bureau. The owner "Pick" Hylton has put up a Rocket Boys display on one wall, with articles from all over the world. "Pick" suggested we look up "Red" Carroll. |
Coalwood, W.Va. |
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Before we had a chance to call, Red drove up in his pickup with his 11 year old son Josh along (Red also has a 5 year old son--both by his second wife). Red has taken on the role of local historian and Rocket Boys tour guide. He abandoned plans to plow his garden, and spent most of the day showing us around and educating us about Coalwood. Like most people in Coalwood, Red is pleased with the movie and book, but disappointed it wasn't filmed here. He was wearing his "Rocket Boys Dad" ballcap, and Josh had made an impromptu advertisement on the dusty rear window of the truck.
| Our first stop was Cape Coalwood, the rocket launch site just up the hollow from town. Dirt deposited by floods has allowed the old slack pile to grow over with weeds and small trees. I asked about the flag the boys had flown at the site. Red told us that his wife had made it, but he didn't know what had become of it. |
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We set off on our own to photograph the local sights for a bit while Red ran a few errands.
 Reverend "Little" Richard's church overlooking the Coalwood Pirates baseball field was in beautiful shape. |
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A miner who'd worked for Homer Hickam (to the locals, Homer is the father and Sonny is the son) was out enjoying the sunshine pushing his grandson on the swingset. I don't know if the American flag had been hung upside down, or if the wind had just twisted it over.
Continued in Part 2.
Still to come--"the big store", the machine shop, Sonny's house, Jake the pet rooster, and more.
This page last updated 7/31/00
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