Novinger, in Adair County, is historically known for some of the most successful coal mining in Missouri. Adair County and neighboring counties were home to over 50 recorded coal mines between the years of 1880 and 1966, with Adair County holding the title of third largest producer of coal in the state in 1912. Besides overall coal production, Novinger had the last working deep-shaft mine in the state—the Billy Creek Coal Mine— which was in operation from 1880 to 1966.
On the west side of Novinger, travelers can follow Coal Street, which leads to the Novinger Log Homestead. There, visitors can peek through the windows of a replicated homestead similar to what an early coal miner would have used. One block away from that is the Coal Miners Museum, a quaint stop that tells the story of coal mining and the coal miners that founded the town.
Inside, visitors can experience a simulated coal mine, a blacksmith shop, a library for genealogical research, and donated local farm tools and other memorabilia—such as the massive Novinger City Bank vault from the early 1900s. In the library, visitors can learn about the surprising Italian immigrant population that worked the local mines and the key role of Novinger as a railroad stop for the Missouri and Pacific Railroad in Quincy.
“You could walk through here a dozen times and still find something new to look at,” says David Novinger, president of the museum’s board and a descendant of town founder John Novinger.
For more information, visit CityOfNovinger.com.
This article was originally published in the May 2025 edition of Missouri Life.
