US 64 passes through the center of Coal Hill and meets SR 164 in the Eastern part of town.

Around 1840 coal was discovered around Spadra creek. The arrival of the Little Rock and Fort Smith Railroad into the area provided a way for the extracted coal to get to market. Coal Hill was at the center of a coal basin almost 170,000 acres in size and workers and investors flocked to the city. When a post office was established in town, several names were suggested but Coal Hill won out. In the late 1870's saloons, a shoe repair shop, three general merchandise stores, a post office and a depot lined both sides of the track. In the 1880's the area was a major producer of coal. The railroad continued its development and around 1884 a spur line was built to the Quita Coal Company mines. Before long railroad agents took up business in town and put up almost 500 lots for sale. When a local farmer was selected as town marshal to curb the lawlessness in town; he immediately proceeded to construct a jailhouse. It was built out of logs and covered with boards. This structure now known as the Tiny Little Cabin is still standing today and located just off Highway 64 near the Coal Hill city park.