The production of the 1999 film October Sky, a biographical drama about Homer Hickam Jr., utilized several locations to recreate the setting of Coalwood, West Virginia. Principal photography occurred primarily in rural areas of Tennessee.
The decision to film in Tennessee was largely driven by the state’s visual similarities to West Virginia, coupled with logistical and economic advantages. Specific towns within Tennessee, such as Oliver Springs, Petros, and Wartburg, provided the necessary landscapes and architectural styles to accurately depict the Appalachian mining community of the late 1950s. Coal mines, small-town main streets, and mountainous terrain were all available within the state, offering a comprehensive and cost-effective filming environment.