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The Clinchfield Coal Corporation created the
company town of Dante in Russell County, Virginia, in 1906 to house mine
workers and managers as they developed the abundant coal resources in this
area. The company opened several mines and established its headquarters
here in 1912. Dante grew into a bustling multi-cultural
town of some 4,000 people.
Determined to see their community survive and move forward, Dante residents created Dante Lives On, Inc. in October 2003 to revitalize the community and region by preserving, restoring, and promoting the coal mining and railroading history of Dante. All activities are supervised by the volunteer Board of Directors, elected by the membership annually. Dante Lives On, Inc. is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes and is recognized by IRS as a 501(c) 3 organization.
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During the latter part of the 20th
century, Dante experienced a severe economic downturn tied to the fortunes
of the coal industry. Now the mines are closed and the schools are gone, as
are the commissary, the hospital, the theater, and other businesses. The
business district today consists of only a general store, a post office, and
the newly restored museum.. However, about 800 people still call this
close-knit community their home.