The mining town was founded by Henry Ford some time in the late 1920s or early 1930s with the

intention of controlling coal and steel production for the Ford Motor Company in Detroit.

Rather than let his coal company, Fordson Coal Company, let the UMWA union in, he closed the mine and

boarded up the company houses. (Henry Ford also owned mines in Nuttallburg, WV and Stone, KY).

Later the Twin Branch mines were operated by Bigelow and Brooks Collieries Company.

Restored aerial view of Twin Branch, McDowell County, circa early 1930s.

"Henry Ford, coal mine owner and operator. Here is a panoramic view of Twin Branch,

est Virginia, Henry Ford's coal town, where miner's average $7 to $8 per day in wages.

Rather than letting the UMWA union in Henry Ford closed the mine and boarded up the company houses.

(Henry Ford also owned mines in Nuttallburg, WV and Stone, KY). Later the Twin Branch mines were operated by

Bigelow and Brooks Collieries Company.