Century-old fire still going strong
By Liz Bracher, Staff Writer
May 18, 2008 | 6 p.m.
Many people have heard the old-time horror stories of the Ridges here in Athens. Not many, however, can recall other secrets that southeast Ohio claims — maybe because one secret is more than a century old.
When entering southeastern Ohio, many people sense something different. Maybe it is the rolling hills that seem like mountains to those who are used to the flat plains. It could be the deserted mining towns scattered with decrepit buildings and rusty railroad tracks. Maybe it is that eerie feeling that a time machine has sent you back 100 years. Some may criticize the area for being behind the times or just a little bit too “country.” But underneath the soil is one of Ohio’s best-kept secrets, The Devil’s Oven, a mine fire that has been burning since 1884.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, southeastern Ohio was a prime region for coal mining. It is no surprise that this brought about plenty of jobs and the development of a handful of new communities. New Straitsville, a town about 25 miles northwest of Athens, was one of these communities and the site of The Devil’s Oven.
In March of 1884, mine operators decided on a pay cut for all miners to accommodate the changing state of the economy. The miners were informed of this cut at the end of one work day by a handwritten notice placed outside the mine. Naturally, vengeance was on the minds of many. Later that night, according to M.R. Wright of the United Mine Workers Journal, the workers met in a cave to discuss a strike against The New Straitsville Coal Company. There was a group of men, however, who had a different plan for revenge in mind.
One night, they headed out to Plummer Mine on the outskirts of town. They filled roughly a dozen mine cars with lumber and coal soaked in oil, and pushed them into the mine openings.
Several days later, the fire was discovered. The men did this four more times to various mines around town. When all the fires had been discovered, nothing could be done to stop them. The strike that had been held by the other miners ended in March of 1885, and very few mines were still in operation. The exact perpetrators were never determined, but those who were suspected eventually moved.
Over time, the fire shifted away from New Straitsville and into parts of the Wayne National Forest. During the Depression, the fire could be seen aboveground in the hills. This attracted tourists from all over, and those who lived in the area took advantage of this by charging for mine tours. This must have been quite a scene because the citizens argued over who would profit from the tours, while others quietly said they were frying food on the ground above the fire.
To this day, while numerous attempts have been made to put out the fire, none have been successful. It has been said that as long as the fire receives oxygen, it will continue to burn.
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