Smoke on the Mountain
July 22, 2010 - August 1, 2010Annual Millionaire Homecoming
July 23, 2010 - July 31, 2010The Greenbrier Classic Golf Tournament
July 26, 2010 - August 1, 2010Princeton Rays Game
July 29, 2010 - July 31, 2010
Historical Sites and History
Nestled in the heart of the southern West Virginia coalfields, Mercer County is home to a magnificent coal story. Delve into the rich mining history of the coalfields. Mercer County is a reflection of its coal mining history. The boom of the coal mines helped fuel the nation and power the industrial revolution. Railroads moved in, coal companies expanded, and company coal camps were built. Thousands of immigrant workers flocked to the mines. Immigrants of many descents including Welsh, Hungarian, Polish, and Russian came to the area in search of work. Many settled in the coal camps and Mercer County became a melting pot of cultures. The unique culture of the coalfields emerged as almost all of the miners lived in company houses and relied on the company store for supplies. Tight knit coal camp communities emerged where each relied on their neighbor.
During those prosperous days, Bluefield, WV emerged as the corporate center of the coalfields. Norfolk & Western Railroad established their headquarters in Bluefield strategically close to the Pocahontas coalfields. The layout of the land permitted a unique natural gravity switching rail yard. Bluefield exploded into the center of the coalfields. Many traveled to Bluefield by train for entertainment and business.
Princeton, WV grew vastly from the locomotive shops that repaired trains on the Virginian Railway. For over a century, Princeton has been a cross-road for the region and a vibrant center for commerce. Riding on the coat tails of the Virginian, many national companies made there home in Princeton. The city further developed when the WV Turnpike was built intersecting Rt. 460 with interstate 77.
Experience the miner’s toils and the operator’s wealth. The miner’s struggles are still visible in Pocahontas, VA today, complete with saloons, company houses, and the Exhibition Coal Mine. Feel the dampness of the mine when you venture underground on your guided tour of the Exhibition Coal Mine. Walk through the mine to see the primitive mining methods and the harsh working conditions for the miners in the 1880s. To experience the extravagant lives of the mine operator’s travel 3 miles to the operator’s town of Bramwell.
Stroll back in time to the small town of Bramwell, WV, which was once the richest small town in America with as many as 19 millionaires. The mine operators became extremely wealthy from the rapid growth of the coal mines. The operators settled in Bramwell and continued with their lavish lives, just as if they were in the big city. Many of the mansions had many modern conveniences even at the turn of the century. See the mine operator’s lavish mansions firsthand as you walk the brick street. Join us twice a year, second Saturday in May and December, for the Bramwell Tour of Homes. The private owners of the homes open up their house for public tour. Costumed interpreters tell the story of Bramwell and the wealthy and influential people who lived there during the turn of the century.
Relive this flourishing era as you visit the reconstructed train depot, the museums, or walk in the historic district. History is still alive today as many of the sites are restored for you to enjoy. Dig into America’s authentic coal story for yourself!
Historic Bramwell, WV
Located eight miles from Bluefield, WV. Historic Coal Heritage, Coal Baron Mansions, Coal Heritage Trail Interpretive Center. Home tours given in spring and at Christmas (2nd Saturday in May at 2pm and 2nd Saturday in December at 5pm).
Vietnam Memorial
Located next to the Princeton Tourist Information Center. Memorial lists Vietnam Vets of eight surrounding counties.Virginia counties include: Bland, Giles, Tazewell, Wythe. West Virginia counties include: Mercer, Monroe, McDowell, Summers.
Princeton Railroad Museum
The Princeton Railroad Museum is located in the historic district of East Mercer Street. The replica depot houses a multitude of priceless artifacts relating to the Virginian Railroad. Hours: Fri. & Sat. 10 am - 2 pm, Sundays 2 pm - 5 pm.
Buddy's Country Store & Museum
Open May - September by appointment only. Coal Camp House Depiction. Thousands of pieces of memorabilia from years gone by. No admission charge.
Wolf Creek Indian Village & Museum
Located in Southwest Virginia, in Bland County, just off I-77, exit 58, 1000 feet North on U.S. Highway 52. Experience a palisaded primitive village built to duplicate archaeological records of a village carbon dated 1215 with guides in primitive dress demonstrating the skills needed to exist in those times. Open Monday-Saturday 10 am - 5 pm. Closed Sunday's.
Hank Williams, Sr. Memorial Bridge
Off I-77, Athens Exit 14. Four and one-half miles.
The bridge carries traffic across the Bluestone River on Rt. 19 at Spanishburg. This is where Hank crossed shortly before his death on the night of December 31, 1952. In recognition of the greatest country songwriter who has ever lived, there will be an Annual Country Bluegrass Jam, featuring arts and crafts and a flea market the second Saturday in September.
The McNutt House
The only surviving structure from the Civil War standing in Princeton. Home of the Princeton Mercer County Chamber of Commerce. Located at the corner of North Walker & Honaker Avenue, Princeton, WV.
Mercer County War Museum
Hours: M-F 10:00 am - 4:00 pm.
"Dedicated to Those Who Served". Displays from the Civil War through the Iraq War.
Clay Memorial Park
First Mercer County settlement location. Near Lake Shawnee, intersection of Rts. 10 & Rt. 19.
Pocahontas Exhibition Mine & Museum
WORLD'S FIRST SHOW MINE. Opened in 1882. Spectacular 13 feet tall coal seam. Mine operated for 73 years. The mine produced more than 44 million tons of coal. Open April 28 to September 30, seven days a week, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Fifty two degrees year round. Group rates are available. Walking tours of the town of Pocahontas may be taken with prior arrangements. National Historic Landmark. Virginia's Official Coal Heritage Zone.
Bluefield Area Arts Center
Historic, "Old City Hall." The building still contains jail cells and the remnants of the police, fire, and other municipal services. The Paine Gallery was formerly the public library. The lovely old building now houses the Summit Theatre and several counseling service offices.
Historic Crab Orchard Museum & Pioneer Park
Located mid-way between Bluefield and Richlands on Route 460 West. Region's most comprehensive historical museum. Log homes, modern museum gallery, horse drawn equipment and early automobiles, regional crafts, food products and art.
Eastern Regional Coal Archives
Archives/Museum. Collecting, preserving and making available Coalfield Heritage through photographs, memorabilia, books, music, film and other historical materials.
48-Bell Carillon
Harmonic melodies from 48 bronze bells ring daily across the beautiful landscape of Athens, West Virginia, marking a point of interest for your journey in the central Appalachians.
Bluefield Orioles
Bowen Field, home of the Bluefield Orioles since 1958 - Over fifty consecutive seasons with Baltimore, an all time record in MLB for a farm team and major league franchise. Bowen Field has a new modern indoor batters and pitchers facility. For family entertainment at its best, come visit Bowen Field for a fun night at the ballpark and enjoy spectacular sunsets, cool evenings and terrific small town baseball excitement. Visit our website for a complete listing of home games.
Coal Heritage Trail
Experience the story of strong, resilient men and women, of families who spent generations mining coal, of incredible racial and ethnic diversity, of strong, close-knit communities, and of isolation, danger and violence. Traveling the Trail you will pass through National Register Historic Districts in the towns of Bluefield, Bramwell, Welch, Mullens, Beckley and Fayetteville. State parks located along or near the Trail include Hawks Nest State Park, Twin Falls State Park and Pinnacle Rock State Park.
Bluefield Historic Driving Tour of Homes
The driving tour showcases mostly 1920's, 1930's and 20th Century style architecture. There are 250 listings on the National Register of Historic Places.
Civil War Reenactment
Bramwell Home Tours
Second Saturday in May and second Saturday in December. Step back in time and discover the Gilded Age. Costumed interpreters in homes share history. Reservations are not required - tours conducted rain or shine.
Downtown Bluefield Historic Walking Tour
Located five miles from Exit 1 off 1-77.
View historic Victorian architecture listed on the National Register of Historic Places. "Capital" of the southern West Virginia smokeless coal fields.
