Ashland Company Store History

              The original Ashland Company Store, located across the street from the present
              building, was a multi-story many-windowed structure that also served as a social hall
              and inn. The building burned in 1943, and the present building was then adapted to
              be the company store. The store carried everything the miner and his family needed
              or could want, including fresh fruit, foods, ice cream, clothing, toys, weapons, tools,               automotive supplies, fabric, shoes, hats, coats, and dynamite. The store was a
              gathering place as much as anything else. The company stores formed the core of
              social and economic life for many thousands of workers who lived in the remote coal
              towns.