My grandfather and great-grandfather went to Van Lear as soon as it was built (1910) to work in the newly opened coal mines. They left a few years later. Apparently the mines ran 40 or 50 years, and after the mines went away, Van Lear became almost a ghost town. I never knew Loretta Lynn was from Van Lear until this album came out - “Butcher Holler” is just outside of town. I am now enjoying thoughts of my grandfather hanging out with Loretta Lynn’s grandfather.
The Van Lear Historical Society has a proudly presented and quite interesting website.