Devils Oven

Cleveland film maker Valda Lewis released her one hour documentary video entitled Devil's Oven: The Fire in the Heart of the Little Cities of Black Diamonds at this year's LCBD Day to an audience at of about 100 persons. The film is narrated by Columbus television news personality Bob Singleton. The documenatry is avaialble for sale for $35 from the Little Cities of Black Diamonds Council office in Shawnee by calling toll free at 866-394-3011 or e-mailing us at lcbd@ohiohills.com

Lewis embarked on the documentary over two years ago after reading an account of the underground mine fires still burning near New Straitsville here in the Little Cities microregion. The fires were set in protest during the nationally significant Hocking Valley Mine Strike of 1884-85 that resulted in landmark changes in labor union influence in the United States. Not only does the video document that strike and the nationally significant role of the miners of the Little Cities, it brings the viewer up to the current day in the Little Cities microregion where the legacy of the Hocking Valley Boom Mining Era lives on. Interviews with local citizens and organizational leaders are featured. The release of this film is eagerly awaited by those who still "have a fire in their heart" here in the Little Cities of Black Diamonds. Support for the research and production of Devil's Oven was provided by the Ohio Humanities Council and the Gund Foundation.