COAL CAMP SAVED Logan County Coal Camp Residents Given Option To Buy
Reported by: Katy Brown
Videographer: Katy Brown
Web Producer: Katy Brown
Reported: Dec. 29, 2012 5:12 PM EST
Updated: Dec. 29, 2012 5:18 PM EST
EYEWITNESS ONLINE WEBCAST VIDEO C L I C K T O P L A Y
, Logan County
, West Virginia
Nestled between coal fields, Rita Coal Camp in Logan County was on the brink of extinction just like dozens of other coal camps throughout West Virginia.
"Every memory I got and these other people is the same way,” said Rita Coal Camp resident, Russell Spears, “their whole lives played out here."
In September, people living in the camp were shocked when they received an eviction notice from new land owners, DB Land, giving them until Oct. 1 to leave.
For months, residents and local Logan officials asked for an alternate solution -- instead of kicking the more than 30 families out of their homes.
"Just to see it come in and doze it under,” said Spears, “And to see what's happened, ain't short of a miracle."
That miracle came Christmas Eve, offering anyone who wishes to stay the opportunity to buy their land.
"When you own something, it's different than renting like we did,” said Spears, “All our life we've rented and to own it you'll put more into it.”
For Spears, this chance to save the Rita Coal Camp is something he believes will not only save his home, but will provide one for many more generations to come.
"It won't just help us. There will be generations down of the original families that come in here will still be on the land. And it'll be something that benefits years from now. We'll all be dead and gone and this will still be going on,” said Spears, “I can rest in peace knowing that, that my camps going to be here even after I'm gone. That's something."
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Katy Brown
