A partial view of Blue Diamond Coal Camp, ca. 1936. Blue
Diamond was completely self-sufficient with the superintendent's office, a post
office, fully-equipped dentist's office, churches, recreation, movie theatre,
pool hall, beauty shop, barber shop, soda fountain, clubhouse, and a
commissary. The commissary sold merchandise of the highest quality. Special
attention was given to the health and happiness of employees. A full-time
physician and staff lived there to answer calls, day and night. Special group
arrangements were made with the hospital in nearby Hazard for hospitalization
necessities. About 80 percent of all the employees lived in camp housing, which
had electricity, running water, and were accessible by wagon or truck. Within
the limits of Blue Diamond Camp were three schools (two for whites, one for
Negro) with a combined enrollment of several hundred students and 25 faculty
members. This photo and information are shared by Ernest Denny, P. O. Box 233,
Woodbine, KY 40771.
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