portal 31 coal mine & tour

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Harlan County

Where the adventure begins

Head Underground to Kentucky’s Portal 31 Mine Tour!

Welcome to Portal 31!

Portal No. 31 Underground Mine Tour offers visitors the unique experience of touring an actual coal mine by rail car. Visitors will experience travelling through a coal mine as the enjoy animated exhibits along the tour. Outside Portal 31 stands a black granite monument in tribute to long time president of the United Mine Workers John L. Lewis and a memorial to U.S. Steel District #1 miners who died in mining accidents. The site also features a 1920s lamphouse, bathhouse, L&N train depot and loadout system. A walking tour around the site includes signage that explains the history of the Portal 31 mining complex. Portal 31 RV Park is located directly across from the Portal. With 12 hookups and 8 primitive parking spaces, the park adds another option for local accommodations. The park offers a sewer dump station for tour buses and RV vehicles. Cable television hook-ups available.

Admission Portal Prices:

• Adults: $22.95
• Seniors: (62 & up) $20.95
• H.S. Students/College: $17.95
• 3yrs of age – 8th grade: $12.95

Information Regarding Tour:

The Portal 31 Tour ride accommodates 10-15 adults (18 school age children). Reservations are suggested. Larger groups can be accommodated with prior agreements made through the Portal office. The ride takes approximately 45 minutes. The rides traverses through an actual coal mine and the temperature may be cool so you want to bring a light jacket if you are cold natured. Tours are regularly scheduled at the top of each hour and you should plan to be checked in 15-20 minutes before the tour begins.

Portal 31 recently underwent a multi-million-dollar renovation and while the story line has not changed of telling the history of coal mining, our exhibits feature state-of-the-art animatronics and computer simulated exhibits. While same day tours are available, reservations are recommended to guarantee your time slot.

Gift Shop: As a remembrance to your visit to Portal 31, be sure to visit our gift shop for a t-shirt, hat, bag or Portal 31 coal and/or other items!

Other things: While the Portal 31 Tour ride takes approxiamtely 45 minutes, you can spend additional time on the walking tour around the Portal 31 complex and Lynch train depot. There are 35 informational signs that explain the structure, their uses, and the history behind them. Food and drinks are available at the Lamp House Coffee Shop across the street. We suggest you plan 2-3 hours of your time to take the tour and view the other things outside the mine tour.

For more information contact  Nick Sturgill , Manager . Telephone: 606-848-3131

Owned by the Harlan County Fiscal Court  and operated by the  Harlan County Tourist and Convention Commission . Bookings are taken by Portal 31 (606) 848-3131

Hours: Tuesday – Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Weekends: Please call ahead of time to ensure you have a reservation. Weekend hours are not guaranteed.

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Portal 31: How A Closed Mine Opened New Prospects For One Coal Town

Devin Mefford is sitting in the squat metal buggy of a modified mantrip, the train-like shuttle coal miners use to travel underground. Mefford is dressed for work, in a hardhat and a navy shirt and pants with lime green reflective stripes.

It’s a uniform his father and grandfather — both Kentucky coal miners — would be familiar with.

Mefford does go into a mine every day, but not for the coal. He’s the tour guide at Portal 31 , a train ride through a once-operational coal mine in Harlan County.

“People are amazed,” the 21-year-old says, gesturing to the dark mine entrance behind him.

Brittany Patterson | Ohio Valley ReSource

Portal 31 tour guide Devin Mefford.

Portal 31 first opened in 1917 . A subsidiary of U.S. Steel operated the mine and built the nearby community of Lynch, which was at the time the world’s largest coal camp. At its height, 10,000 people lived in the community, including a diverse immigrant population from more than 30 countries.

When it closed its doors in 1963, Portal 31 had produced more than 120 million tons of coal. More than 40 years later, in 2009, the mine reopened — this time to tourists.

For 35 minutes visitors ride the rail cars, often in pitch darkness, on a journey not just through the mine, but back in time. The drawling voice of an actor playing a miner named Mike Mackenzie, or Mac, narrates.

“We’re going to visit the miners and see how it’s changed over the years,” he says. “First stop, 1919.”

An animatronic miner materializes out of the darkness. Another actor gives voice to an Italian immigrant named Joseph, who recounts what it was like for the thousands of people who came to work in the mines in the early 1900s. Next to his lifelike form is a robotic mule and chirping canary.

“The mine she’s cool and safe,” he says. “You will see to that won’t you cantante . As long as I can hear your song I know I’m safe.”

A scene from inside Portal 31.

Visitors hear what it was like to mine for coal before and after mechanization. They also learn about Harlan County’s bloody conflicts over union organizing.

“This is a story that never needs to die. It’s a story that needs to be told,” Nick Sturgill, director of Portal 31 said. “People need to understand what these guys went through, but they also need to understand how prosperous a place this was at one time — what coal not only did for this city, but for this region, for this country, for this entire world.”

He said about 5,000 visitors from around the world take the ride under Black Mountain each year. It’s a bright spot for Lynch, which today is home to just a few hundred residents.

Like many former mining communities, in recent years Lynch and neighboring towns have turned their sights on attracting tourists. It’s often a costly endeavor, but in recent years the federal government has expanded its support for repurposing old mine lands as new economic engines, including to draw new visitors.

Federal Role

Alexandra Kanik | Ohio Valley ReSource

Portal 31 was part of that effort. In 2018, the attraction was awarded a $2.55 million Abandoned Mine Land Pilot grant . The funding will be used to update the ride as well as nearby historic buildings for use as retail and office space. Some of the money is slated to go to a new parking lot and scenic overlook at nearby Black Mountain.

“The main outlook on the AML grant is to really just be a shot in the arm for all of Lynch as well as Harlan County,” Sturgill said. Alexandra Kanik | Ohio Valley ReSource

Central Appalachia has thousands of acres of abandoned mine sites that can threaten local economies and people’s health and safety. In 1977, Congress created the Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Program to clean them up. The funds come from fees paid by active coal mine operators on each ton of coal mined. The fee and authorization of the AML Program is set to expire in 2021 without Congressional action.

The AML Program chiefly provides funding for reclamation.  In the last five years, federal support has grown for a slightly different approach — going beyond merely sealing mine portals and treating polluted water to supporting projects that could grow local economies. Alexandra Kanik | Ohio Valley ReSource

The Appalachian Regional Commission in 2015 began investing in coal-impacted communities through Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization, or POWER Initiative . Congress appropriated money from the U.S. Treasury to create the AML Pilot program in 2016, aimed at not only boosting reclamation work in the highest-need Appalachian states, but promoting projects that spur economic development and growth on abandoned mine lands.

“There’s significant economic benefits that communities can get from embracing mine reclamation,” said Joey James, with the Reclaiming Appalachia Coalition , which advocates for sustainable reclamation investment. “There’s also opportunities to repower some of these sites that were once the lifeblood of these communities.”

James, who is a senior strategist at West Virginia-based Downstream Strategies, said projects with federal backing can attract other investors looking to make an impact.

“While these federal programs are really, really important, and we need to have them, I think what the AML Pilot program does is it offers an opportunity to develop enterprises on former mine sites that might pull private capital and create models for redeveloping and reusing mine sites that won’t rely entirely on federal funding,” he said.

The Portal 31 attraction takes visitors into an underground coal mine.

Another federal proposal, the RECLAIM Act, would accelerate reclamation of abandoned mine land by dispersing $1 billion of Abandoned Mine Land funds over a 5-year period with an eye toward economic development. That bill has not been passed by Congress despite bipartisan support.

Critics argue the millions poured into these programs have failed to produce the desired outcomes. Some efforts planting lavender or apple trees on old strip mines have floundered. James said it’s important to objectively assess the effectiveness of projects receiving federal funding.

“If states are investing in projects that aren’t providing that opportunity in the future, we need to think of how we can be better,” he said.

Growing Pride

Back inside Portal 31, the mantrip snakes its way back toward daylight.

A group of visitors from South Carolina is milling around in the small gift shop. They’re visiting the area on a mission trip. A gaggle of middle school-aged kids excitedly share what they learned.

“We learned how difficult it was and how dangerous it is for them,” one says. Another adds his amazement that Portal 31 holds the record for most coal mined in a single day — a record set in 1923.

Devin Mefford emerges from Portal 31.

Mefford, the guide, takes questions at the end of the tour. He says the most common one he’s asked is if coal is coming back.

“In all honesty, coal mining is a thing of the past, and it’s sad to say that for small towns like mine,” he says.

But he adds that makes Portal 31, and federal investment into both preserving and showcasing Kentucky’s coal heritage, even more important.

“Every person in this community deserves to have something to be proud of, and that’s what we do here,” he said.

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Attraction:

Portal 31: Dark Ride Mine Tour

Lynch, Kentucky

If you enjoy an off-the-beaten-path adventure -- but not too adventurous -- then Portal 31 is a satisfying trek. It's easily accessible by car, though still halfway up the side of Black Mountain, the highest peak in Kentucky, and nearly two hours from the nearest freeway exit, which isn't even in the same state.

Remote as it is, Portal 31 is popular -- even with travelers from overseas, according to director Nick Sturgill. That's because it's a cross between a classic Spook House "dark ride" and a pavilion at the 1964 New York World's Fair -- and it's underground in a real coal mine, enhanced with robot dummies and quirky special effects. "The ride is very cold, it's very bumpy, it's very dark," said motorman Devon to our tour group. "Anybody have any problems with that?" With no one voicing any paralyzing dreads, the tour train lurched into the abyss.

Portal 31 was once one of the richest coal mines in the world, honeycombing Black Mountain with tunnels that stretched for miles. On February 12, 1923, its miners set a world record by hauling out over 25 million pounds of coal in a single day . But 40 years later the mine was closed; it had become too vast, too maze-like, too difficult to ventilate with breathable air. Decades of inactivity followed, with retired miners sitting outside the entrance, drinking coffee, while visitors would occasionally stop by, wondering why they couldn't go inside. According to Nick, that sparked the idea of turning Portal 31 from a mine into an attraction. Years passed, the plans became more elaborate, millions of dollars were raised to make the mine safe for tourists, and Portal 31 finally opened to the public in 2008, robot dummies and all.

The tour is narrated by the disembodied voice of miner "Mac" McKenzie, who announces, "we'll be going not just through the mine, but back in time." As the train squeaks and rumbles through the darkness, it stops at various "years" to hear stories told by Portal 31's cast of animatronic coal miners. "Coming to America; it was a good thing I did-a," says Joseph Marchelli, a Sicillian immigrant, in 1919. "The mine, she is-a cool and safe. My bambinos, their stomachs are full." Portal 31 was a subterranean melting pot; miners from 38 countries once worked here, as well as many African-Americans, who have their own memorial down the road in Lynch.

As the tour progresses, Joseph and his friendly mule are replaced by younger miners working with increasingly complicated and noisy machines. However, even these newer miner-dummies have an encrusted, grimy veneer of authenticity thanks to years spent underground at Portal 31. "Computer systems and animatronics, in a mine, are not an easy fit," said Nick. "Thank God for duct tape and zip ties." Nick said the attraction intends to upgrade, but we hope that any repairs keep the battered realism intact.

Portal 31 closed in 1963, and at the last timeline stop on the tour, two miner-dummies take a moment to reflect. "Joseph died of black lung disease, didn't he?" asks one. "He worked in the coal mines for 30 years," answers the other, who apparently is Joe's grandson. "Most of that time they didn't know what breathing coal dust could do to you. Oh well; our shift's over. Time to get going."

But the ride isn't over. The train stops in a passage with a soaring ceiling, and onto it is projected a Story of Coal Creation . "Time passed. Millions upon millions of years," says a narrator, as the molten earth evolves in about seven minutes into a mossy paradise and then a montage of projected miners, smiling from a lumpy wall. "What was once beneath the swamplands now surrounds us. The tunnel we are now in once held a rich seam of high grade coal...."

Nick told us that Bible literalists who take the tour sometimes fuss about this last stop ("That ain't right!"), but the vast majority of visitors seem pleased with Portal 31's depiction of coal mine reality.

The attraction works hard to present miners as everyday heroes, and to be educational rather than gratuitously emotional. In fact, Joseph's demise-by-illness is the only mention of death on the Portal 31 tour, although a black granite memorial out front lists the names of well over 200 miners who never made it out alive, with an "additional fatalities" slab for those who couldn't fit. Nick said that he didn't believe in ghosts until he started spending time inside Portal 31. "You work here a week, you'll change your mind." Visitors sometimes see ghostly miners on their tours.

The "Anybody have any problems with that?" warning from Devon was not flippant. Being inside a mine, even a fun mine like Portal 31, can freak some people out. Nick recalled -- and chuckled about -- tough guy "supermen" who swagger onto the tour train and then panic as soon as it's enveloped in darkness. "We're gonna die! I can't do this! You gotta get me out of here!"

Also see: Black Coal Miner Memorial

More on Portal 31: Dark Ride Mine Tour

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This Unique Underground Tour In Kentucky Will Take You Back In Time

Andrea Limke

A Cincinnati native who has lived in Kentucky for over 10 years, Andrea's heart belongs both in the Queen City and the Bluegrass State. After earning an education degree and working in that field for a number of years, Andrea began to pursue her passion for writing over 6 years ago. Since then she has written for a number of print and online publications, as well as published a children's book.

More by this Author

Kentucky has a rich history and evidence of it is scattered across the state. You’ll find former train stations, dilapidated farms, battle fields and historic mines that were once a vital part of Kentucky’s economy. Coal mining was (and still is) a dangerous profession, and one that draws much fascination from those who are unfamiliar with it. Today, you can go underground and into a former mine in the town of Lynch, Kentucky. The Portal 31 Exhibition Mine Tour and nearby Kentucky Coal Museum are both incredibly unique attractions that will take you back in time.

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Touring Portal 31 and visiting the Kentucky Coal Museum are excursions that every Kentucky should experience at least once. Have you visited this intriguing piece of our history? Share your experience with us in the comments!

For more information on the Mine Tour, visit their website here . And for more about the Kentucky Coal Museum, visit their site here .

And for more about another feature of the town of Benham, check out our previous article here .

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Once in a lifetime experience - Portal 31

• United States    
• Kentucky (KY)    
• Lynch    
• Lynch - Things to Do    

Learn the life and times of miners with US Steel Company from the early 1900's to present. Riding... read more

Very informative! Nick does a great job and has a real passion for his work. Soon it will be... read more

Once in a lifetime experience

Had a memorable time on the underground tour! This was my first time in a mine and the tour guide was very knowledgeable about the history of the mine. Felt completely safe the whole time, even when the guide turned all the lights off to give us the real experience, lol. Would definitely recommend the tour to anyone in the Appalachian area or those who just want to know more about America’s history.

In the heart of Lynch, Portal 31 offers the amazing adventure of being inside a mine and diving into the remarkable story of the miners who live in one of the world's most important coal communities in the twenty century. Unfortunately, Portal 31 is undergoing renovations, and it is not possible to ride in a car with authentic figures speaking. However, walking provided the trip with a different perspective and allowed to enjoy it more thoroughly. The $20 per person price may be a little pricey. Nonetheless, the experience is priceless. In addition, the employees, particularly the tour guide, are always friendly, make you feel welcome, and are willing to answer all of your questions.

Portal 31 offered a unique experience of being able to walk and tour a coal mine. I never thought I would be able to see it first handed mine. The props and items on showcase throughout the tour helped my understanding of the industry. The only reason I give four stars is that Portal 31 is going through some updates that do not allow visitors to experience riding the train and hearing the figures speak; however, our guide was excellent and accommodating to questions.

In the heart of Lynch is Portal 31 across from Lamp House Coffee. The tour, $18.95 a person, was thorough with details, and our guide was eager to answer questions. Besides the mining entrance is a gift shop with coal-related gifts like necklaces for $9 or t-shirts for $25. The only issue I had with the tour was the lack of accessibility. The tour was advertised as motorized, but the train was not operational. We had to walk three miles in the mines, which was difficult with my booted foot.

The guide failed to tell visitors it was a walking tour. We had in our group a wheelchair bound elderly lady. He really could have cared less. One mile long pushing a wheelchair over tracks is not fun. He also made some rather racist comments. Save your money. Definitely not worth it.

The town of Lynch, KY was abandon by U.S. Steel back in the 1960's when they closed the mines. We got walk through the town: see the old rail station and what was once Bank Building & Post Office built by US Steel which is now the City Hall, and the dilapidated company store. Our purpose was to tour the inside of the mine. Our guide had worked in mines down in Alabama, and he was very informative. None of the videos were working the day, so he provided the history of Lynch and of mining for us. (Did not understand or realize what the miners had to go through.) We rode in a rail car into the mine which holds about 15 people. My favorite thing was when the guide stopped the rail car near the end of the tour, and allowed us to walk around for about 5 minutes to pick up some pieces of coal. He said, "Take as much as you want." Our experience with the website was that even though the brochure had a contact number, chances are you will not be able to reach anyone, nor can you make reservations online.

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Portal 31 Mine Tour

26 Church St., Lynch , Kentucky 40855 USA

• Independent

“Tour and actual coal mine by rail car!”

Portal No. 31 Underground Mine Tour offers visitors the unique experience of touring an actual coal mine by rail car. Visitors will adorn the traditional protective gear of the coal miner as they enjoy animated exhibits along the tour.  Outside Portal #31 stands a black granite monument in tribute to long time president of the United Mine Workers John L. Lewis and a memorial to U.S. Steel District #1 miners who died in mining accidents. The site also features a 1920s lamp-house, bathhouse, L&N train depot and loadout system.

Reviewed by ericarchrist

This was an awesome tour and great opportunity to learn about coal mining for our entire family. Admission includes the Kentucky Coal Museum, just a few minutes up the road. Kids were thrilled to be invited to take a piece of coal as a souvenir. Highly recommend this tour.

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Visiting a new city is akin to going on a first date, it is something you will never forget. Many people imagine Moscow as just a bunch of sporadic landmarks: Red Square, the Kremlin, Lenin’s Mausoleum and GUM. There is so much more to this wonderful city than that and even though we only have a few hours, we will do all we can to show you everything we know and love about our capital in one fell swoop. We will take you on a journey through the ages, from centuries ago, right up to the modern day, soaking in the sights of this vast and bustling metropolis. Bright, luxurious and both ancient and modern at the same time, Moscow invites you on a date you’ll never forget!

On our sightseeing bus tour of the city, you will see:

• The wonderfully historic city centre and its unique museums, magnificent cathedrals, the exquisite Chambers of the Romanov Boyars and of course, the famous towering red brick walls of the Kremlin, The charming beauty of the Alexander Garden awaits the capital's guests - a lush green oasis in the midst of the glass and concrete clad metropolis, basking in the etherial aura emanating from the whitewashed stone walls of the restored Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the world- renowned fairytale onion domes of St. Basil's Cathedral and other impressive monumental buildings such as the library built in Lenin's honour - the Russian State Library - and the State Duma.
• The Lubyanka KGB headquarters is notorious to members of older generations and although nowadays, the face of the secret police has changed dramatically, the looming enigmatic building on the waterfront maintains its aura of mystery, shrouded in a variety of murky rumours and dark myths. Then, there’s another of Moscow's main attractions - the marvellous Bolshoi Theatre, yew simply cant leave Moscow without taking in its breathtaking architecture. Engrained in the fabric of Russia's cultural heritage, virtuoso performers such as prima ballerina Galina Ulanova, opera singer Feodor Chaliapin and pianist, composer and conductor Sergei Rachmaninoff once stood centre stage of this vaunted institution.
• The memorial complex on Poklonnaya Hill was constructed in the glory and honour of our heroes who defended our nation in the many crucial battles of the Great Patriotic War (WWII). This is a place that embodies a particularly acute and inextricable link between older ancf younger generations. Moving on to the Moscow International Business Centre, not dubbed ‘Moscow City' for nothing, a true glimpse of the future in the present. This incredible, rather jaw-dropping project in the capital has shown that Moscow has come to accept the age of the skyscraper. Finally, the stunning views from the observation deck at Sparrow Hills will leave professional and amateur photographers alike itching to capture them. How could one resist?

The most beautiful of all the world's cities - lady Moscow invites you out on a date!

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St. Basil's Cathedral

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The sprawling, mind-boggling metropolis of Russian Moscow has long been one of the theatrical stages on which the great dramas of Europe and Asia have been played out in grand style. Burned by Napoleon in 1812, immortalised by Tolstoy, utilised by the Bolsheviks and championed as a bastion of heroic defiance by the post-war communists, it’s almost hard to believe just how defining the historical events that found their home on Moscow’s streets have been. Moscow tour guides will easily be able to mark the major must-see landmarks on the map, from the onion-domed orthodox Saint Basil's Cathedral, to the political powerhouse of Red Square just next door, while others will be quick to recommend a ride on Moscow’s famous subterranean metro system, or a visit to the UNESCO-attested Novodevichy Convent on the city’s southern side. But Moscow is a city also in the throes of a cultural wrangling between the old and the new. Creative energies abound here: Boho bars and pumping super clubs now occupy the iconic mega structures of the old USSR; high-fashion outlets, trendy shopping malls and luxurious residential districts stand as testimony to a city that’s now the undisputed playground of the world’s super-rich, while sprawling modern art museums dominate the cultural offering of the downtown districts north of the Moskva River.  

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MINE HISTORY

The 130-year history of mining in the Coeur d'Alenes has created a unique and colorful mining culture.Go underground and see what they experienced...

A FUN EXPERIENCE

Go underground with Wally! Your guide, Wally, a hard-rock miner for 16 years as he shares experiences and shows you around the Sierra Silver Mine ...

Go Underground on an Adventure! Throughout Summer, Fall and Spring. Hours: May, Sept., & Oct. 10am-2pm, 7 days a week through Oct. 15 June, July & August, 10am-4pm, 7 days a week

Welcome to The Sierra Silver Mine Tour!

What is our Mission?

The Sierra Silver Mine Tour is dedicated to educating current and future generations as to the culture, history and contemporary practices of hard-rock mining in the Coeur d'Alene Mining District.

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WHERE WE ARE

New location.

Sierra Silver Mine Tour, Inc. 509 Cedar Street Wallace, Idaho USA 83873 (208) 752-5151 [email protected]

 Need Directions? Click Here.

The most popular, exciting, and educational tour in North Idaho.

Fun for adventurers of all ages! You will personally experience the actual methods of hard-rock mining in the richest silver district on earth! A retired miner is your guide you through a real silver mine. On the short trip to and from the mine aboard our classic trolley, you will be treated to a narrated tour of Historic Wallace. 1 hour and 15 minute tours depart from the ticket office every 30 minutes with the first tour departing at 10am and the last at 4pm.

• Seniors (60 and better) $16
• Children (4-16 years) $10
• (Children under 4 years free)
• Family (2-Adults & 2 or more children between 4 -16) $55
• Group rates available for 10 or more people with advance purchase.
• School field trips and children's activities groups are always welcome and receive a special rate with advance reservations.
• AAA discount
• Open 7 days a week from May 1 st through Oct. 15 th : Jun. - Aug.: 10 AM - 4 PM
• May, September and October: 10 AM - 2 PM
• New tour leaves every 1/2 hour - The first tour departing at 10 AM and the last tour departs at 4 PM
• Tour length: 1 hours and 15 minutes
• Bring your camera and a light jacket
• Mine temp. about 50 degrees F (10 C)

We are committed to the health and safety of our guests and crew. We will sanitize our equipment and trolley after every tour and we encourage you to wear your mask.

Opening May 15th!

2018 Primetime Emmy & James Beard Award Winner

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