Finally! The History Of The Baxter Coal Monument Is Revealed

The day has finally come! After months of research, days of constant obsession, and hours of bothering everyone that works at the Harlan Public Library, I finally have the answers to the mystery of the Baxter coal monument. It was a long struggle everyone, but I have found out as many of the hard facts on this monument as I possibly could, and can finally get the information to all of you. For those of you that are subscribed that don't know why I am so excited, I will give you a little background. This monument has been a landmark here in Baxter, just outside the Harlan City limits for many years, but over those years the information on this monument has gotten lost. There are plenty of theories and stories that have been passed down, but no easy way to actually look up the cold hard facts on the monument. So we have all been left to speculate for years on why it was here, who built it, why it was built, and when it was constructed. The really great thing about it that makes it very unique, aside from the base it is completely built out of blocks of solid coal. And any of you that may know anything about coal, it makes a better material to burn than to build. But the old timers defied the odds and built this thing, and it has stood proud ever since. Sitting as a round-a-bout type structure at the old intersection of US 119 and US 421, many people have passed by this with the thought of what it was all about, but we were not really sure until now. Also in the video, we explore the old US 119 bridge, the construction of US 119 and US 421 in Harlan County, and get to see some amazing old pictures along the way. The video is full of great information, and I have looked forward to getting this figured out, the video shot, and out to all of you for 6 months or more. So lets all sit down, get comfy, and learn about one of Harlan's most unique monuments ever built. Thank you all for stopping by, commenting, and subscribing. I really do appreciate all of it, and appreciate all of you. I hope you enjoy the video, and hope you have a great week!

[@TheCraftyCrowShow]

Remember everyone, please subscribe if your liking this content, hit the like button if you liked the video, and leave some comments down below if you have stories or memories of this place!

[@romaprindle9607]

Thanks so much for all your good work here! I remember when it was truly in the middle of the road!

[@TheCraftyCrowShow]

@@romaprindle9607 your very welcome. And I remember it too. It wasn’t that long ago that they paved that. Can’t really blame them though, there wasn’t much need for it anymore

[@ralphnolan3187]

I use too work at smiths garage

[@dpar44]

I grew up in Baxter when it was a bustling little town in its own right compared to Harlan. My family owned businesses all around that marker: my grandfather Bascom Smith owned the garage and parts house just up 840, and my family owned the original Mack's at Baxter on the corner beyond Harlan Retreading. I used to lean against the coal monument as a kid watching traffic go by, and lived on the hill above the Coca Cola bottling plant. I read from a lady that commented on the Appalachian Project page that her grandfather Frank Gemmeno was one of those who built it (the Italian stonemasons that did a lot during that era) and according to the visitor's bureau there are 54 blocks of coal that represented the number of coal companies in the county at the time. My paternal grandfather D.R. Parsons always told me the monument marked Baxter as the commercial center of Harlan County - everything flowed through that intersection before the bypass was built.

[@TheCraftyCrowShow]

Awesome history, thank you for sharing. I must have overlooked your comment, so sorry it took so long to respond. Wish I would have known you had that much info on the place when I was researching…lol. It was definitely the center of business back in its heyday before the bypass. The younger generation will never know how big Harlan once was

[@debrawhite751]

Wow! I found this so interesting! My dad grew up in Harlan ( Loyall) and the older I grow, the deeper my attachment grows to this place and the beautiful mountains. My mom and dad are buried at Resthaven. I found in some souvenirs my dad had kept from his youth a letter addressed to him in Shonn, Kentucky and I found out that was what Loyall used to be called. My papaw worked for the L&N and I read that he was instrumental in having the name officially changed to Loyall. I would love to see you do an episode in Loyall. Thank you and keep up the good work! This documentary was so well done.

[@TheCraftyCrowShow]

I grew up in Loyall too, and have done a video on the RC plant already, but a bigger video is definitely something I need to do for sure. I’m glad you enjoyed the video, and hope you will stick around to see what we come up with next

[@debrawhite751]

@@TheCraftyCrowShow You can count on it. One thing I have wondered about and even tried to research with no success is the Resthaven Cemetery. I'm curious as to who started it and when. I have pictures of my dad and his high school girlfriend in the Turner pavilion from probably the 1930s.

[@TheCraftyCrowShow]

@@debrawhite751 Howard’s and Whitfields if I’m not mistaken, but don’t hold me to that. And I’m guessing in the 30’s

[@TheCraftyCrowShow]

I’m sure I will eventually get to doing a video on that someday, so I’ll have better info then

[@paulacooper5722]

My mother told me that my great great grandfather was the one that laid the coal on the Baxter coal monument

[@TheCraftyCrowShow]

If that’s the case he knew what he was doing. It’s still standing strong after all this time

[@paulacooper5722]

@@TheCraftyCrowShow his name is John creech

[@paulacooper5722]

His name is John creech

[@BrainstormSnackAttack]

Cool! Looks like something that could see fit in a National Treasure movie! Love the history lesson.

[@TheCraftyCrowShow]

It’s definitely a cool monument. Hopefully this will get some awareness kicked up and can maybe start looking toward a park or something there

[@BrainstormSnackAttack]

@@TheCraftyCrowShow that would be cool

[@sheilahpickard8532]

This research and story are fascinating! Thank you for all your hard work. I love the answer that it was a road marker. Imagine decades ago, traveling those roads. There was nothing but the road and trees. No road signs, maps, or GPS. The monument was a sign of Harlan. I never noticed the rod at the top until this video and I grew up in Harlan! I remember hearing a tale that the monument was made of the first coal to leave Harlan but I think that was from someone's vivid imagination.

[@TheCraftyCrowShow]

That’s what I’m trying to avoid with my videos. There has been lots of info on things around here that has been lost or had stories made up about them. I’m sure there is still things that I haven’t found out about this one, and plan to do an update later on if I find out more. But I’ve tried to get the most accurate facts with documentation to back it up so we can all know the true history of things. I’m really glad you enjoyed it

[@hazelrowan2604]

Really interesting and very good research. The old maps were fascinating and I took pictures of them. Thank you for doing this.

[@TheCraftyCrowShow]

You are very welcome. I love looking at those old maps, and they have been very useful in my research

[@utubegeneric]

As for the pole on top, I remember seeing an American flags on top of it in the 1970's. It may have had some earlier purpose, but I remember a flag up there before the bypass was completed when everyone was still using the old road.

[@TheCraftyCrowShow]

Someone else remembers seeing a metal “pennant” in an d picture. Maybe it was just put there to be able to place a flag or something then. Thanks for that info. First hand info is always great, and your the first one I’ve seen mention actually seeing something on it

[@regorekrub]

Everybody seems to have forgotten the "Coal House"...

[@TheCraftyCrowShow]

Your absolutely right, and I didn’t know about it until recently. Do you know where it was or what happened to it?

[@MannsAdventures]

Great video, very informative. Thanks for the history lesson. Keep them coming, I'm enjoying learning the history of Harlan Kentucky.

[@TheCraftyCrowShow]

And you get to learn it twice😂. Gonna have to get a Manns Adventures and crafty crow joint trip again soon. All this history is making my brain hurt, and I need some dirt time to let it cool off

[@MannsAdventures]

@@TheCraftyCrowShow it's fun to see it all come together though. People don't see the hard work it takes to bring out a 20 to 30 minute video as good as what you've been posting. And yes! Dirt time soon, Michelle is better and I'll be free! I have a short about that posting today I believe.

[@TheCraftyCrowShow]

This one was definitely a challenge for sure. I can only do a research project this big with this little info every few months. Labor of love for sure, but I enjoyed finding out about it

[@tabby6017]

Loved this little documentary. Very interesting. Please make more.

[@TheCraftyCrowShow]

Absolutely! Any suggestions on what you’d like to see?

[@tabby6017]

Love any East KY history. Especially the history that's most don't already know.

[@Flyswatable]

Really enjoyed your video. Thank u for the information a lot of this stuff I didn’t know. Good job 👍🏻

[@TheCraftyCrowShow]

Thank you, and very glad you enjoyed it

[@maseratibillm]

This is the first time I have seen this video. Having been born in Harlan and lived in Loyall. I am interested in seeing the Coal Monument and the Bridge area being turned into a protected park, Please let me know it there are any plans , if not, how can we start this significant project started? Thanks: Bill Muse

[@TheCraftyCrowShow]

I’m from Loyall myself until the flood project came through. I’m hoping this video brings awareness to the right places and can get something going. This could possibly be the start, but I have no idea where it needs to go from here honestly. But if anything does start to happen, you can be sure I will be there with my camera to document

[@maseratibillm]

@@TheCraftyCrowShow Please send me your contact info and lets start conversations about how we can get this started. ([e-mail]). I am a retired Architect and Planner. Do you have a map of the area that I can start a plan showing what you would like to do? Thanks B. Muse

[@cammicooper20]

I've always wondered if the 119 I saw up here in PA was down there. I guess it is.

[@TheCraftyCrowShow]

Yes it is. The south end is about 30 minutes away in a town called Pineville. Pretty cool, huh?

[@cammicooper20]

@@TheCraftyCrowShow it is I know Pineville well. Whenever I come back that way I may take that road instead of the interstate

[@TheCraftyCrowShow]

@@cammicooper20 I’ve wanted to do that too. Drive from one end to the other. That would be interesting and fun

[@cammicooper20]

@@TheCraftyCrowShow I live in the perfect place to do so definitely going to have to happen maybe next summer

[@ElizabethStallard]

Steven this was an amazing video you have done a real tribute to the history of our County very well-researched. And I do agree something does need to be done in order to mark it and preserve it that's for sure.

[@TheCraftyCrowShow]

Thank you so much. I still feel like there may be a little more info out there somewhere, but that’s the most I could find on it. I’m glad you enjoyed it

[@ralphnolan3187]

I remember the old road too pineville I use too work at smiths garage

[@TheCraftyCrowShow]

I bet it was a pretty busy place before the bypass was built

[@ralphnolan3187]

@@TheCraftyCrowShow yes I could look down tward the coal monument at night

[@ralphnolan3187]

Use too live in baxter just up from the monument beside smiths garage

[@TheCraftyCrowShow]

That area sure has changed, hasn’t it?

[@ralphnolan3187]

@@TheCraftyCrowShow some what

[@ralphnolan3187]

@@TheCraftyCrowShow I remember the old road too pineville

[@TheCraftyCrowShow]

I got to go into that old parts store one time. All of the shelves are still stocked with parts, and the heavy machinery was back in there. And everything from the old muffler shop was upstairs. Tons of new old stock in that place. They were trying to sell building, contents, and all for I think $30K. If someone would have had the time to sell it all, you could have probably made your money back on it easy

[@ElizabethStallard]

Hey Stephen I sent her a message on messenger and I also sent her or shared her KZbin site with you on this particular video and so hopefully there'll be some kind of the connection and you can get a little bit more information you be safe out there the weather's are really stirring up

[@TheCraftyCrowShow]

I got ahold of her, thank you. And James Greene contacted me and is sending some information I didn’t have for the video, so I see an update coming soon

[@ElizabethStallard]

Excellent Steven I'm glad can't wait for the next video young man you do an excellent job

[@TheCraftyCrowShow]

@@ElizabethStallard thank you very much!

[@courtneycollins4760]

This video almost has 1k views!!!

[@TheCraftyCrowShow]

I know. It’s really exciting and recharging! 😁

[@jeffjackson5331]

Very very very interesting! I wonder if that was an old gas fired lantern on top of that. Thank you for sharing bud

[@TheCraftyCrowShow]

I doubt it was gas because we had electric in town by that time, and have never had gas here in Harlan. Haven’t understood why either considering we have plenty of natural gas wells piping it out to other places

[@jeffjackson5331]

@@TheCraftyCrowShow hmmmmm! Maybe it’s what is left of an old flag pole. Like you said, God only knows. I have been looking forward to this video since you posted about it the other day.

[@jeffjackson5331]

@@TheCraftyCrowShow i was just thinking about something. I wonder if it has some internal structural support system and that is the top portion of it. Like rebar.

[@TheCraftyCrowShow]

@@jeffjackson5331 I’m not sure. Whatever the pole is I would think had to be installed when it was built. I wish I had a drone and I could have got up there to get a good look at it. Maybe someday when I get one I will go back and see

[@jeffjackson5331]

@@TheCraftyCrowShow yeah i would think the same thing. That’s what made me suspect that it may be part of the structure for support. Like you mentioned before, coal will deteriorate over time which would make that unstable inside. There is no way to know just how far in those blocks of coal actually go. I would assume all the way but who knows given their shapes.

[@ElizabethStallard]

Hi baby I sent you a private message on messenger I hope that you get it I don't have my Facebook anymore but I do have messenger and I do have Instagram but I sent you some information if you don't get it I will try to get it to you somehow

[@TheCraftyCrowShow]

Yes ma’am, I got it