733

1920-40s Milk River Coal Mine Scoop Chinook, Mont.

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:50.00 USD Estimated At:100.00 - 200.00 USD
1920-40s Milk River Coal Mine Scoop Chinook, Mont.
For your consideration is this 1920-40s Milk River Coal Mine coal scoop from Chinook, Montana. The Milk River Coal Mine was a coal mining operation near the American town of Chinook, Montana. The mine produced a substantial amount of coal during its existence, which lasted from 1920 until 1942. The Montana Coal and Iron Company, established in 1902 by businessman Charles M. Russell, owned and ran the mine. The business ran a number of other mines in Montana and was a significant player in the state's coal mining sector. The Milk River Coal Mine produced about 400,000 tons of coal annually and employed several hundred people during its peak years of operation. However, by the 1940s, the mine started to have financial issues as a result of a drop in coal demand as well as heightened rivalry from other mines in the area. The mine was completely shut down in 1942, and the machinery was either sold off or demolished.
The coal scoop reads on the handle, "Milk River Coal Mine Chinook, Mont." in gold lettering. The scoop shows a base color of black. The scoop shows good condition with paint chips and fading to the lettering from its age and use through the years. The scoop measures 19 1/2" L x 4 7/8" W.