on the back of the black granite monument are written 1,200 names of persons who have lost their lives in the coal mines of tazewell, russell and buchanan counties in southwest virginia. the front is graced by images of the industry created by artists ellen elmes and jack hagerman; the life size, life like bronze statue in front of the monument, which portrays a miner on his way home after a day in the mine, was sculpted by maria kirby-smith. a small landscaped park with a waterfall and a lighted brick walkway surrounds the monument.