Bells mine is a ghost town located in Crittenden County, Kentucky, United States. The ghost town was established in 1900 by Farmers and settlers. Miners also took part in its establishment. Coal was among the minerals that was exploited in the area.

History

In the early 1800s, farmers and settlers from Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina came into Crittenden County, Kentucky in the United States. Coal fuel was discovered in the area, luring miners from England and Germany into Crittenden County to exploit the fuel. A mining company, Bell’s coal company, was established by John Bells in 1796.

Cumberland Presbyterian Church was established in the 1830s and a graveyard was put in place adjacent to the church. Skirmishes were done in the townsite during the American civil war in 1864. During the war, guerrilla tactics were the main tactics that the residents used to defend themselves. One soldier was killed and six who were captured escaped. At least 20 horses belonging to the soldiers were killed during the confrontation.

The decline of the town

Alcoa in the 1950s purchased much of the Bells Mine community as private ownership. The objectives of Alcoa were to acquire coal reserves in the area and to build a smelter in the area. Residents in the townsite were forced to sell their land and homes at less cost. The Cumberland Presbyterian Church established in the 1830s was closed in June 1998 after the number of church members attending the service reduced. Major vandalism and theft quickly followed afterward, as some of the locals came back once in a while to loot and destroy the remnants of the town. The graveyard served as a resting place for many souls for the past century after its establishment. Smelting complex was established in Newburgh Indiana where the land was used for hunting retreats. The basements of the Bell’s mines served this purpose well.

Current condition

Bell's mines and the surrounding buildings were later transferred to rich wildlife. The townsite and its environs were acquired by the United States Forest Service and the department of fish and wildlife resources with an aim of creating an area for wildlife management. From November 1st, 2013 to date the area is now open to the general public to visit. The Old structures in the townsite are seen including the church, the graveyard, and the town's ruins which were not demolished during Alcoa's operations. The mines are the only places that are out of bound for those visiting the historic town. This is because of various dangers that its unstable grounds may cause if it collapses. Despite those minor demerits, Bells Mines is a fantastic place to tour whether alone or with company of friends or families.