Wenonah: Difference between revisions
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The '''Wenonah''' (formerly '''Fossil''') community was the name of a series of [[Red Mountain]] ore mining camps for employees of the [[Tennessee Coal and Iron Company]] (TCI). The camps were designated as: Wenonah Camp #6, #7, #8, #9, and #10. Mining Camps #11, #12, #13, #14 and #15 were in [[Ishkooda]]. The oldest was Wenonah Camp #6 as listed on the [[1916]] Birmingham Mining District maps. Number 6 was next to the [[Woodward Iron Company]]'s camp #2 on its western boundary and was the location of the water reservoir that in about [[1947]] was replaced with a covered water tank, now owned by the [[Bessemer Water Works]]. The reservoir/tank is located in the [[Lipscomb]] area of [[Jefferson County]]. | The '''Wenonah''' (formerly '''Fossil''') community was the name of a series of [[Red Mountain]] ore mining camps for employees of the [[Tennessee Coal and Iron Company]] (TCI). The camps were designated as: Wenonah Camp #6, #7, #8, #9, and #10. Mining Camps #11, #12, #13, #14 and #15 were in [[Ishkooda]]. The oldest was Wenonah Camp #6 as listed on the [[1916]] Birmingham Mining District maps. Number 6 was next to the [[Woodward Iron Company]]'s camp #2 on its western boundary and was the location of the water reservoir that in about [[1947]] was replaced with a covered water tank, now owned by the [[Bessemer Water Works]]. The reservoir/tank is located in the [[Lipscomb]] area of [[Jefferson County]]. | ||
By [[1900]], TCI was operating 15 iron ore mines in the [[Birmingham District]] including the #6, #7, and #8 mining camps. Mining Camp #7, located southwest of Browns Station, was also the site of the plant that processed the iron ore before being transported via [[High Ore Line Railroad]] connection from Red Mountain to the [[Fairfield Works]]. In [[1914]], TCI began ongoing facilities and programs to improve lives of employees with schools, medical dispensaries, training programs, and housing. The company produced an outdoor pageant, called ''[[The Magic Word]]'', to introduce the new name of "Wenonah" in November [[1916]]. The name was chosen by TCI's social science director [[Marion Whidden]] as a complement to the company's Ishkooda and [[Muscoda]] camps. All three names appear in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's epic poem "The Song of Hiawatha"<sup>1.</sup>. | By [[1900]], TCI was operating 15 iron ore mines in the [[Birmingham District]] including the #6, #7, and #8 mining camps. Mining Camp #7, located on the southwest boundary of Browns Station, was also the site of the plant that processed the iron ore before being transported via [[High Ore Line Railroad]] connection from Red Mountain to the [[Fairfield Works]]. In [[1914]], TCI began ongoing facilities and programs to improve lives of employees with schools, medical dispensaries, training programs, and housing. The company produced an outdoor pageant, called ''[[The Magic Word]]'', to introduce the new name of "Wenonah" in November [[1916]]. The name was chosen by TCI's social science director [[Marion Whidden]] as a complement to the company's Ishkooda and [[Muscoda]] camps. All three names appear in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's epic poem "The Song of Hiawatha"<sup>1.</sup>. | ||
[[Image:Wenonah_School.jpg|left|225px|Wenonah School]] | [[Image:Wenonah_School.jpg|left|225px|Wenonah School]] | ||
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Wenonah Camp #9 was south of [[Grasselli Heights]] on the north side of Red Mountain. It was the location of the [[Wenonah School]], built in [[1917]] as part of the company's welfare program. | Wenonah Camp #9 was south of [[Grasselli Heights]] on the north side of Red Mountain. It was the location of the [[Wenonah School]], built in [[1917]] as part of the company's welfare program. | ||
Wenonah Camp #10 was located adjacent to [[West Goldwire]] and south of the current [[Wenonah High School]]. It is now known as [[Tarpley City]]. | Wenonah Camp #10 was located adjacent to [[West Goldwire]] and south of the current [[Wenonah High School]]. It is now known as [[Tarpley City]]. The #10 mine has been designated as the future home of the [[Red Mountain Park]] Museum. | ||
In [[1962]], Red Mountain ore mines closed in Birmingham District as Venezuelan ores begin to be used. | In [[1962]], Red Mountain ore mines closed in Birmingham District as Venezuelan ores begin to be used. | ||
Revision as of 07:50, 11 December 2012
- This article is about the former mining camp. For the 1916 pageant, see The Magic Word.
The Wenonah (formerly Fossil) community was the name of a series of Red Mountain ore mining camps for employees of the Tennessee Coal and Iron Company (TCI). The camps were designated as: Wenonah Camp #6, #7, #8, #9, and #10. Mining Camps #11, #12, #13, #14 and #15 were in Ishkooda. The oldest was Wenonah Camp #6 as listed on the 1916 Birmingham Mining District maps. Number 6 was next to the Woodward Iron Company's camp #2 on its western boundary and was the location of the water reservoir that in about 1947 was replaced with a covered water tank, now owned by the Bessemer Water Works. The reservoir/tank is located in the Lipscomb area of Jefferson County.
By 1900, TCI was operating 15 iron ore mines in the Birmingham District including the #6, #7, and #8 mining camps. Mining Camp #7, located on the southwest boundary of Browns Station, was also the site of the plant that processed the iron ore before being transported via High Ore Line Railroad connection from Red Mountain to the Fairfield Works. In 1914, TCI began ongoing facilities and programs to improve lives of employees with schools, medical dispensaries, training programs, and housing. The company produced an outdoor pageant, called The Magic Word, to introduce the new name of "Wenonah" in November 1916. The name was chosen by TCI's social science director Marion Whidden as a complement to the company's Ishkooda and Muscoda camps. All three names appear in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's epic poem "The Song of Hiawatha"1..
Wenonah Camp #8 was located just south of Hillman Station on the north side of Red Mountain, and is sometimes referred to as "New Hill". It was also the site of the company commissary, doctor’s office and other administrative offices.
Wenonah Camp #9 was south of Grasselli Heights on the north side of Red Mountain. It was the location of the Wenonah School, built in 1917 as part of the company's welfare program.
Wenonah Camp #10 was located adjacent to West Goldwire and south of the current Wenonah High School. It is now known as Tarpley City. The #10 mine has been designated as the future home of the Red Mountain Park Museum.
In 1962, Red Mountain ore mines closed in Birmingham District as Venezuelan ores begin to be used.
Notes
- In the poem, Wenonah (from Dakota Sioux "winona" meaning "first-born daughter") is the daughter of Nokomis and mother of Hiawatha. Ishkooda (from Ojibwe Chippewa "ishkode" meaning fire) is a comet. And Muskoday (from Ojibwe Chippewa "mashkode" meaning "prairie") is a meadow.
References
- Rikard, Marlene Hunt (June 1981) "Wenonah: The Magic Word." Journal of the Birmingham Historical Society. Vol. 7, No. 1 pp. 2-9