Hard As the Rock Itself: Place And Identity in the American Mining Town (Mining the American West)

The first intensive analysis of sense of place in American mining towns, this book provides rare insight into the struggles and rewards of life in these communities. David Robertson contends that these communities - often characterised in scholarly and literary works as derelict, as sources of debasing moral influence, and as scenes of environmental decay - have a strong and enduring sense of place and have even embraced some of the signs of so-called dereliction. Robertson documents the history of Toluca, Illinois; Cokedale, Colorado; and Picher, Oklahoma, from the mineral discovery phase through mine closure, telling for the first time how these century-old mining towns have survived and how sense of place has played a vital role. Acknowledging the hardships that mining's social, environmental, and economic legacies have created for current residents, Robertson argues that the industry's influences also have contributed to the creation of strong, cohesive communities in which residents have always identified with the severe landscape and challenging, but rewarding way of life. Robertson contends that the tough, unpretentious appearance of mining landscapes mirrors qualities that residents value in themselves, confirming that a strong sense of place in mining regions, as elsewhere, is not necessarily wedded to an attractive aesthetic or even to a thriving economy. Mining historians, geographers, and other students of place in the American landscape will find fascinating material in this book. The first intensive analysis of sense of place in American mining towns, Hard as the Rock Itself: Place and Identity in the American Mining Town provides rare insight into the struggles and rewards of life in these communities. David Robertson contends that these communities - often characterized in scholarly and literary works as derelict, as sources of debasing moral influence, and as scenes of environmental decay - have a strong and enduring sense of place and have even embraced some of the signs of so-called dereliction. Robertson documents the history of Toluca, Illinois; Cokedale, Colorado; and Picher, Oklahoma, from the mineral discovery phase through mine closure, telling for the first time how these century-old mining towns have survived and how sense of place has played a vital role. Acknowledging the hardships that mining's social, environmental, and economic legacies have created for current residents, Robertson argues that the industry's influences also have contributed to the creation of strong, cohesive communities in which residents have always identified with the severe landscape and challenging, but rewarding way of life. Robertson contends that the tough, unpretentious appearance of mining landscapes mirrors qualities that residents value in themselves, confirming that a strong sense of place in mining regions, as elsewhere, is not necessarily wedded to an attractive aesthetic or even to a thriving economy. Mining historians, geographers, and other students of place in the American landscape will find fascinating material in Hard As the Rock Itself. The First Intensive Analysis Of Sense Of Place In American Mining Towns, [book Title] Provides Rare Insight Into The Struggles And Rewards Of Life In These Communities. [author] Contends That These Communities ... Have A Strong And Enduring Sense Of Place And Have Even Embraced Some Of The Signs Of So-called Dereliction. [author] Documents The History Of Toluca, Illinois; Cokedale, Colorado; And Picher, Oklahoma, From The Mineral Discovery Phase Through Mine Closure, Telling For The First Time How These Century-old Mining Towns Have Survived And How Sense Of Place Has Played A Vital Role.--book Jacket. The Mining Imaginary : Place, Identity, And The Mining Landscape -- Toluca : The Longwall Mining District. A Rip-roaring Town. Mine Closure And Community Survival. Mining's Legacies. Saving The Jumbos. Reclaiming The Jumbos -- Cokedale : The Trinidad Coal Field. A Model Company Town. The Utopian Myth. Mine Closure And Community Survival. Life And Landscape In The Post-mining Era. Preserving Cokedale -- Picher : The Tri-state Mining District. Landscape And Identity In Early Picher. Sores Beyond Cure. Hard As The Rock Itself. Mine Closure And Community Survival. The Tragedy Of Tar Creek. Whither Relocation? The Town That Jack Built -- Conclusion. David Robertson. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 197-208) And Index. Contents......Page 8 List of Illustrations......Page 10 Preface......Page 12 1. INTRODUCTION......Page 18 The Mining Imaginary......Page 21 Place, Identity, and the Mining Landscape......Page 23 2. TOLUCA......Page 36 The Longwall Mining District......Page 38 "Rip-Roaring" Town......Page 47 Mine Closure and Community Survival......Page 53 Mining's Legacies......Page 57 Saving the Jumbos......Page 62 Reclaiming the Jumbos......Page 69 3. COKEDALE......Page 88 The Trinidad Coal Field......Page 91 A Model Company Town......Page 96 The Utopian Myth......Page 100 Mine Closure and Community Survival......Page 108 Life and Landscape in the Post-Mining Era......Page 111 Preserving Cokedale......Page 118 4. PICHER......Page 138 The Tri-State Mining District......Page 141 Landscape and Identity in Early Picher......Page 149 "Sores Beyond Cure"......Page 152 Hard As the Rock Itself......Page 158 Mine Closure and Community Survival......Page 163 The Tragedy of Tar Creek......Page 169 Whither Relocation?......Page 177 The "Town that Jack Built"......Page 183 5. CONCLUSION......Page 202 Bibliography......Page 214 B......Page 226 C......Page 227 H......Page 228 L......Page 229 P......Page 230 S......Page 231 U......Page 232 Z......Page 233