A Look Back At The Community Of Bells Mines

The once busy coal-mining tow of Bells Mines has many memories for many people.  It is rich in history of earlier and harsh times in our county.

In 1842 John Bell, a politician from Nashville, Tennessee, purchased thirty-one acres of land from John Lamb and John Rourk. This land was located in Crittenden County next to the Tradewater River.

This was the starting of the coal-mining town called Bell Mines. By the late 1840's and early 1850's European immigrants had learned about the mines and came there for employment. In the 1850 Crittenden census it lists people with names of Hina and Green from Germany, Mangin and Piper from France, Church and Wheatcroft from England, just to name a few.

The boarding house had miners with home places listed as Bavaria, Prussia, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, along with names from New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Tennessee and Illinois.

An October 1922 article in The Crittenden Press states, A few months ago, the Bell Coal and Navigation Company purchased 5000 acres of land in the vicinity of the old Bells Mines, located in the northeastern part of Crittenden County.

This is one of the oldest mining cities in the county, the mines being founded and first operated by John Bell the Tennessee statesman and politician, about a century ago.

For about seventy years prior to the purchase by the Bell Coal and Navigation Company, all mining operations thee have been suspended.

The company is not operating one shaft, but has in contemplation, the sinking of three or four other shafts. The coal produced has the reputation of being of the best quality and is unexcelled by the product of any other mine in the state. The coal is being hauled by wagons to Sturgis and put on the market, but a branch railroad is being constructed from the mines to Sturgis to facilitate the marketing of the coal.

The company is also building a power plant of 500-housepower to furnish electricity to run the machinery and for lighting purposes. A washer is being constructed to wash the output of the mines and nothing but clean coal will be sent out. A grinder will also be put in and the company will furnish coke for the market. A number of residences have been built and others are under construction.

A handsome clubhouse of thirteen rooms, supplied with bathtubs, toilet, washbowls and all modern conveniences is under construction. The building will be heated by a large furnace in the basement. Mr. William Herbert, a Welshman, by birth, is general Superintendent."

A rare picture of the old  Bells Mines train track that ran through the mining town to the Tradewater River.

This once coal-mining and farming community of Bells Mines is mostly remembered by descendants of families that lived there.  I've never been able to locate any old photos of the area or community.   Without the old articles found the archives of The Crittenden Press, we wouldn't know as much history as we do.