The distinction of status groups and classes is one that is important, though often confused and overlooked in studies of the African American community. This research focuses on social status in a predominantly black coal mining community from 1900 to 1923. The first objective of the study was to examine social structure in predominantly African American, industry-based community. The second objective was to determine the criteria used in African American communities to establish levels of status. The third objective was to investigate whether standards of appearance were used in making status distinctions in an African American coal mining community. The study also examined the criteria used to distinguish between social status and determined whether clothing played a part in assigning social status in the Buxton coal mining community.