HARDBURLY, Ky. – The history of Hardburly can be traced back to
the first half of the 20th century, when coal flowed from the
hollow by the train car and the old coal camps bustled with
activity. Though the camps have long since faded, and Hardburly
is now a strictly residential community, the history of coal
mining there is as rich as any around. And just like other
communities, Hardburly has its own unique place names and
landmarks. There is Mexico Hollow and Groundhog Hollow. There is
Muddy Hollow and the Masonic Lodge, along with the Hardburly
park. According to coaleducation.org, there were actually two
coal companies operating in Hardburly during the early 1930s and
into the 1950s when miners and their families lived in nearby
camps. The Hardy-Burlingham Mining Company, from which Hardburly
got its name, was in operation from 1931 to 1948 and employed
nearly 500 people, while the Old King Mining Company ran from
1933 to 1958 and employed 250 people. At 91 years old, Edna
Feltner still remembers the old