St. Charles, VA – A Coal Town Full of Heart and History
- Hearts of Appalachia
- Jun 16
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 19
We sure hope we’ve managed to capture St. Charles in the way it deserves — full of the heart and history that makes this town special. We’d be mighty appreciative if you’d give our Facebook page a like and share this video so more folks can enjoy these mountain stories.
Nestled in the coal-rich hills of Lee County, St. Charles may be small, but its memories run deep. Though officially unincorporated in 2022, the people who grew up here—and those who still call it home—carry on the legacy of a town shaped by faith, family, and hard work.
The welcome sign that once stood at the entrance of town felt like a handshake from the past. Inspired by the handmade markers that dotted Appalachian roadsides, it was more than wood and paint—it was a quiet declaration: you belong here.
This post was created to help preserve and celebrate the memories of those that call it home.. Much of what you’ll read here is based on photographs, community posts, local stories shared by residents, and powerful reporting by Cardinal News. That’s why we’re inviting you to share your own experiences—to help ensure St. Charles is remembered the way it deserves to be.
🎭 The St. Charles Theatre
Once a proud piece of town life, the St. Charles Theatre was more than a movie house—it was where memories were made. Whether you caught a Saturday matinee or just came to cool off, it was the place to be.
The marquee now lives on in watercolor, preserving the joy and laughter that echoed inside its doors.
I can just imagine folks still talk about which seats were the best and who had to run to the concession stand when the reels jammed. You didn’t just go to see a film—you went to see your neighbors, to laugh, and to forget your worries for a little while.
🛒 C.J. Poe General Merchandise
“A Place to Get Your Needs” wasn’t just a tagline—it was a lifeline. From groceries to gossip, Poe’s store was one of the beating hearts of Monarch, part of the St. Charles area. It even hosted smaller shops inside its walls—a small-town mall before malls were a thing.
Multiple families on their St. Charles Facebook Group recall visiting Poe’s or hearing stories about it from relatives. The creak of the wood floors, handwritten prices on shelves, and the friendly wave from behind the counter made shopping a familiar and cherished routine. If you needed something, Poe’s probably had it—or knew who did.
It was more than a store—it was a crossroads for conversation, a place where neighbors paused to catch up on news, weather, and family happenings. And for the kids? Poe’s was magic. Many remember saving up Blue Horse notebook labels and trading them in for candy or small prizes—a sweet reward that made every school day feel like it had a little adventure waiting at the end.
⚾ Coalfield Baseball & St. Charles Team
⚾ Coalfield Baseball & St. Charles Teams – The Mountaineers and the Midgets
Tucked beside the ridge and across from the old high school, St. Charles was home to two beloved teams: the Mountaineers, who played as part of the coalfield leagues, and the Midgets, representing St. Charles High School.
Back in the 1920s and beyond, baseball wasn’t just a sport in Lee, Wise, and Scott counties—it was the heartbeat of the summer. The Mountaineers faced off against neighboring coal camp teams like the Pennington Miners, while the Midgets took on other high school teams across the region.
Game days brought the whole town together. Folks recall climbing hillsides for a good view, kids chasing foul balls, and families lining the fences with folded chairs and brown-bag lunches. It was more than competition—it was community, pride, and the joy of seeing your town on the field.
Though the bats have long been packed away, the memories remain—passed down like heirlooms, etched into the heart of St. Charles.
🐷 The Piggly Wiggly (A Neighboring Favorite)
Yes, St. Charles did have a Piggly Wiggly—one that many remember fondly. Whether you came for groceries or just to catch up on the latest town talk, it was a part of everyday life. Kids knew if they behaved, they might just walk out with a candy bar or a toy from the bottom shelf.
After it closed, many locals began making the short trip to Pennington Gap to visit the Piggly Wiggly there. And while the location changed, the routine—and the community feel—stayed the same. For St. Charles folks, it was never just about where you shopped—it was about who you saw and the stories you swapped while pushing a cart.
St Charles Coal Miner Memorial
The decline of St. Charles can be traced back to a single truth: the coal industry that once gave it life also shaped its fate. Like so many Appalachian towns, it was built for the mines—by the mines—and when the coal dried up, so did the work, the businesses, and the reason many families had first come here.
But even as the coal industry faded, the spirit of the people never did.
Across from the community center stands a memorial dedicated to the coal miners who gave their all—some their health, others their lives. The bricks bear the names of fathers, grandfathers, uncles, and friends. Messages etched in stone whisper promises: “In honor of all Lee County UMWA members,” “St. Charles—a small town with a big heart,” “God bless this town.”
Though the industry is gone, the memory of those miners lives on in the breath and bones of the people who remain.
The School, The Black Lung Clinic and The Community Center
The building that now houses St. Charles Elementary once served as the high school—before fire and consolidation reshaped education across the region. Today, it echoes with the sounds of learning and laughter from young children, but its walls still remember the generations who passed through its doors before. Just down the road, the community center and Black Lung Clinic carry on a similar legacy of care—where miners once bathed after long shifts, families now gather for support, connection, and healing. Together, these places represent the heartbeat of a town that refused to be forgotten.
The Church and The Rescue Squad
The First Baptist Church of St. Charles has long offered peace to those who needed it—through revivals, Sunday morning sermons, and solemn prayers lifted in times of joy and sorrow. It stands, still, like a guardian of memory and faith.
Nearby, the St. Charles Volunteer Rescue Squad stands as a quiet testimony to selfless service. Staffed by hometown heroes who chose to stay and serve, they give more than just their time — they give their hearts. Every call answered is met not only with sirens and skill, but with compassion, courage, and a deep love for their neighbors.
In Closing
It wasn’t a piece of paper that made St. Charles a town—and it won’t be one that defines its end. The heart of St. Charles was never written in ink. It was written in the lives lived here—etched in coal dust, stitched into quilts, and sung from the pews of little churches on the hill.
The coal may be gone. The charter may be gone. But the people? Their stories still echo across the ridges.
As long as there’s someone left to tell the stories, someone who remembers the ballgames, the baptisms, the miners’ grit and the front porch laughter—St. Charles lives on.
And as long as breath remains to tell them, the mountain remembers.
St. Charles was never just a town—it was a testament. And because of the people who built it, it will never die.
We want to hear your St. Charles memories—whether they’re about Saturday night ball games, school band parades, or favorite swimming holes. Drop your town name in the comments on this Facebook post and download our expanded town questionnaire to get started:
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📩 Or email your story to info@heartsofappalachia.com