Moving the mountains

Mountaintop removal mining is reshaping the economy, culture and landscape of much of Appalachia. Lauded by mining companies as a safer, more efficient way to produce coal, this ramped-up strip mining has stirred protests from environmentalists and residents. In this series, we explore some of the issues that surround the controversial latest stage in the region's long history of coal mining. Your thoughts | Interactive graphics | Photo galleries | Radio interviews

Blair Mountain: Mine it or enshrine it?

Back in 1921, the high tide of West Virginia's mine wars -- and of the early movement to unionize West Virginia's coalfields -- crested atop Blair Mountain as thousands of armed miners faced sheriff's deputies, mine guards and ultimately, federal troops. Now there's a new Battle of Blair Mountain -- between residents and history buffs who want to preserve the battlefield, and a mountaintop removal mine that is steadily erasing the mountain to get at the coal within it.

Related: Stopping the miners | Roanoke proudly plays a bit role in the battle | Mine strife sounds familiar?

Timeline: See a day-by-day breakdown of the battle (.pdf document)

Graphics: Locate Blair Mountain in West Virginia | Did the battle create the term "redneck?"