Exploring the Hidden History of Western Greenbrier County
The Hidden History project is dedicated to recognizing the unique history of Western Greenbrier County through recording oral histories from people in the communities, gathering photos and artifacts, and collaborating with Greenbrier West High School to create an exhibit worthy of the rich and unique history of the Meadow River Valley.
Research includes:
The next step is to create an exhibit to showcase the lives of the people – both then and now – that make this community so significant. This exhibit will bring visitors to the community; be partially created by local students; have a permanent home in the area; and tell the many significant stories of life and living during the coal, timber and railroad industries era. This exhibit will make community members proud.
Be sure to check back in and stay up to date with GHS social media to receive updates on our progress. This is an ongoing research study led by Board Members Janice Cooley, Margaret Hambrick, Vicky Cline and AmeriCorps Oral Historian Vicky Neal.
Research includes:
- Coal Mining, Timbering and Railroad industries during the early 20th Century. These industries created opportunity as well as wealth for many during their existence and were recognized internationally for the work done by the workers.
- The People of the area—the workers and their families-- and how the work done through these industries made a difference; who lived here and worked these industries?
- The Family and Work life, Education, Religion, Immigration
- How these industries created communities, other businesses
The next step is to create an exhibit to showcase the lives of the people – both then and now – that make this community so significant. This exhibit will bring visitors to the community; be partially created by local students; have a permanent home in the area; and tell the many significant stories of life and living during the coal, timber and railroad industries era. This exhibit will make community members proud.
Be sure to check back in and stay up to date with GHS social media to receive updates on our progress. This is an ongoing research study led by Board Members Janice Cooley, Margaret Hambrick, Vicky Cline and AmeriCorps Oral Historian Vicky Neal.
Contact Information
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Know anyone who would like to contribute to the Hidden History project? We are looking for:
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Janice Cooley (left) and Vicky Neal (right) at the North House Museum.
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Businesses in Western Greenbrier County
In the 1800s, the communities of the headwaters of the Meadow River had several businesses. Dawson, Smoot, Clintonville, Crawley, Grassy Meadows - all of these agrarian communities had local schools, churches, and mercantiles to keep their citizens supplied with the necessities for surviving and thriving. The photos show of the records from "back in the day". Note the dates.
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Schoolhouses in Western Greenbrier County
Years ago, there were schools built by members of the various communities. Students walked to school, often 1-2 miles. Listen to Eugene McKenzie reminisce about attending his 6 room school in Marfrance, Western Greenbrier County.
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The Greenbrier Coalfield
The Greenbrier Coalfield is known as the most mysterious of the West Virginia coalfields. Due to lack of transportation, the coalfield did not begin developing until around 1917. With the Sewell Valley Railroad being completed in 1916, several lumber mills and coal mines developed. A branch line of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway (C&O) in the 1920s further facilitated the opening of additional mines.
By 1932, ten coal companies were in operation in Greenbrier County. Another railroad branch line along Clear Creek from the mainline, at Rupert, West Virginia, permitted the opening of even more mines at Clearco and Anjean. This photo is of the workers at the Leckie Smokeless Coal Company at Anjean in 1951. Note that they were not called the day shift, they were called the Day Force.
By 1932, ten coal companies were in operation in Greenbrier County. Another railroad branch line along Clear Creek from the mainline, at Rupert, West Virginia, permitted the opening of even more mines at Clearco and Anjean. This photo is of the workers at the Leckie Smokeless Coal Company at Anjean in 1951. Note that they were not called the day shift, they were called the Day Force.
The King Coal Hotel
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The King Coal Hotel was first opened in 1929 in East Rainelle as the Maple Oaks Hotel. At a cost of $50,000, and with 50 rooms, it was one of the largest hotels along Route 60. Closing during the depression, it reopened in 1935 under its new name and a 3-ton block of coal adorning the front lawn. Remodeled after a fire in 1953, it touted North Star all wool blankets, Southern Cross box springs and custom-made dinnerware that featured a King Coal motif. The hotel was demolished in 2014 after sitting empty for many years.
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Interstate 64Did you know? Watch this short video to learn about the original plan for Interstate 64 and how it relates to Western Greenbrier Valley.
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Rupert, WV: A Tale of Two Towns
There were once two towns named Rupert: one in Greenbrier County, and one in Fayette County.
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Cyrus Rupert first came to Greenbrier County, West Virginia (Virginia) circa 1829 when he was seventeen years old. Cyrus became friends with Andrew McClung - it is most likely through him that Cyrus began to acquire property near the mouth of Big Clear Creek. This property became the basis for a settlement that would later become Rupert, West Virginia. Cyrus A. Rupert became the doctor for the
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western part of Greenbrier County and eastern Fayette County. He also believed in getting paid for his work and would do contracts with the payment details written out, whether for money or goods and services.
In 1869, Cyrus and Rachel Rupert bought a large tract of land above Sewell Station in Fayette County where Rupert named a town, Ledona (Ledonia), for his first-born child and another small village, Rupert. Both the village of Ledona and this Fayette County town of Rupert have ceased to exist. Cyrus Rupert continued to practice medicine and deal in property until his death at his home in 1891.
The James River and Kanawha Turnpike
The James River and Kanawha Turnpike began as a bison trail. Greenbrier County was once a part of hunting lands shared by several Native American Tribes and they used the trails to get to the salt licks further west. Young George Washington surveyed along this trail with the plan to develop a canal and road system to aid in further development of western territories. While some parts of Route 60/Midland Trail follow along this trail, the original path did not go through Rupert, Charmco, etc. The original turnpike can be taken from Sam Black Church exit to the Smoot Road to Meadow Bluff. Road signs for the James River and Kanawha Turnpike will guide you over the mountains into Rainelle.
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More to come!
Stay tuned on our Facebook page and check back in on this webpage for more updates on the Hidden Histories project!
