Van Lear, Kentucky (Images of America Series)

Van Lear was a sparsely populated farm community at the dawn of the 20th century. Known originally as Millers Creek, its pastoral nature was soon lost as it transformed into a thriving municipality. John C. C. Mayo, a young schoolmaster, was the force behind this development. With his geologic knowledge and his forward-looking business savvy, he foresaw the economic power of the veins of bituminous coal that lay undisturbed in much of Eastern Kentucky. Mayo and a small nucleus of businessmen acquired vast tracts of land and mineral rights. In the case of Millers Creek, these holdings were sold to a corporate behemoth, the Consolidation Coal Company (Consol). Mayo became one of Kentuckys wealthiest citizens, and Millers Creek became Van Lear.Blevins, Danny K. is the author of 'Van Lear, Kentucky (Images of America Series)', published 2008 under ISBN 9780738552941 and ISBN 0738552941.