This photo from the early 1900s, showing the rail line into the mill and the covered unloading platform at the coal dealer. Open hopper cars full of coal would be positioned over a pit located under the roof that is upward sloping. The coal would be emptied from the bottom of a hopper, into the pit and carried by conveyor up the slope to the top of the structure. the conveyor consists of “scoops” mounted on a large chain with small wheels that rode on supports of wood covered with steel in an “endless” loop configuration. Coal would be scooped up in the pit, taken to the top of the structure and dumped into a chute which directed it into the appropriate bin. The bin portion of the building was elevated, with the bottoms of the bins sloped to allow the coal to pour out when a gate was opened. The local delivery vehicle would be driven into the structure, through the door visible on the side of the building. Once inside the delivery vehicle could be filled with the desired size of coal, the driver being sheltered from the elements while doing so.