A coal town, also known as a coal camp or patch is typically situated in a remote place and provides residences for a population of miners to reside near a coal mine. A coal town is a type of company town or mining community. "Usually, the coal camp, like the railroad camp, began with temporary housing-tents or boardinghouses—until more permanent dwellings could be built. Gradually, within a year or so, the camp grew into a Company Store, the most essential structure in the town...". The more typical structures such as churches, and schools would appear later as the town grew.