David Goad
David Goad grew up in Coalwood and worked
for the coal company until the mines shut down in
1986. He has spent the past decade researching
the history of the area. He has collected dozens
of oral histories and hundreds of old photographs.
He and Alex Schust have written a book containing
many of these stories and pictures.
David has been a tremendous help to me with this
documentary project. He has generously shared
photos, introduced me to Coalwood residents and
generally helped me to get the story right. More
importantly, he has become a good friend. I think
David loves Coalwood more than anyone alive and
has made it his life’s work to help preserve as much
of its history as possible.
David has a wonderful website where you can learn
a lot more about Coalwood and order a copy of his
book. Please visit http://www.coalwoodmemories.com/
Coalwood historian
co-Author (with Alex Schust) of
Coalwood: a history of the West Virginia
mining communities of Coalwood, Caretta & Six
Comments Widget
David and Rhonda Goad
Buy
this
book !
Samantha Gail Smith
Sam is David and Rhonda’s granddaughter. In October she made her first trip back to Coalwood since she was very young. She had a great time.
I enlisted Sam as a second camera person. She shot a lot of video around town and at the festival. She did a wonderful job.
The Minneapolis teachers kind of adopted Sam. She launched a rocket with them at Cape Coalwood. Take a look at the video clip of Sam’s launch.
Sam’s rocket launch
Music by Alan “Cathead” Johnston
Sam talks with Red Carroll
in front of the Clubhouse
Here are a few photos of David Goad with some of the people of Coalwood (and a few visitors).
from the forward to David’s book . . .
“When the Olga Coal Company closed its portals in 1986 and jobs were scarce, I uprooted my family and left West Virginia. Over the years I have always wanted my son and daughter to remember their roots and be proud of their rich heritage.
It’s a privilege to share with you this rich legacy of a wonderful place I call home. It is my hope that you will pass on this revelation and not let the history of Coalwood and its people ever die.”
Do you have any of these?
David is a collector of copies of the Coalwood-Caretta News, which was published during the early and mid - 1940s. If you have any of these papers that you would let David make a copy of, he would be thrilled to hear from you.
