The Rogers #3 mine was initially developed as Rogers #1 when the first portal entry penetrated a hillside above Summit-Landsburg Road. According to Bob Coutts, miners soon encountered a fault where the coal seam was laterally displaced. Palmer’s bulldozer operator, Enoch Rogers was sent to determine which direction the seam moved. After uncovering the new outcrop, a second entryway (Rogers #2) was developed adjacent to the wye of the Summit-Landsburg Road. Miners and management soon began referring to the mine as the Rogers’ seam with each opening assigned a number. In 1963, a third and final portal, Rogers #3 was dug just on the Ravensdale side. Twelve years later the mine crew assembled for this portrait in the front of the still-standing washhouse at 26222 S.E. Kent-Kangley Road.
Palmer Coking Coal Co.’s Rogers #3 was the last underground coal mine to operate in Washington state. One afternoon at 3 pm in early 1975, Bob Morris took this photo during shift change of morning and afternoon miners. Front row (l to r): Joe Ozbolt (kneeling), James ‘Bo’ Williams, John Costanich (kneeling), Tony Basselli, Bill McLoughry. Back row: Bob Morris, Bill Kombol, Barry Kombol, George Savicke, Bud Simmons, Roy Darby, John Streepy.
The author of this column gained much of his knowledge of coal mining while working at this mine. Personal reflections on that experience, plus more photos and detailed descriptions of this mining operation can be found at: https://billbored.org/2021/11/19/working-at-a-coal-mine/
