BluefieldThe remarkable story of Bluefield represents a unique combination of geology, geography, and opportunity. Once just the confluence of a handful of family farms in southern West Virginia, Bluefield was put on the map, literally, in the 1880s, when the Norfolk & Western Railway came to town. The company's influence on the rural landscape was overwhelming, and soon, Bluefield was transformed into the center of a coal-fired universe and became a major thoroughfare for the then-thriving mining industry. Though the company--not the coal--was king in Bluefield, enterprising men and women could, and did, share in its success. The city evolved into a successful supply center for the enormous network of towns that sprung up almost overnight throughout the region's coalfields. For the next 60 years, Bluefield experienced dramatic growth, enticing a diverse group of newcomers who helped to build the strong cultural heritage that continues to play a prominent role in the community to the present day. |
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American annual Association Bank Bluefield Avenue Bluefield Daily Telegraph Bridge building built called cars Cecil Surratt Church city's coal coalfields Company construction continues courtesy of Grubb courtesy of H courtesy of Nick crowd early east Eddie Steele Edward Eddie Federal Field fire front GRAYS Grubb Photo Service head High School houses Jack John John Forbes Nash Junior Kennedy King Land later left to right located locomotives LOOKING Mahood manager Martin Melvin Grubb Mercer County Mountain moved Nick Buzzo Norfolk & Western Norfolk Southern OFFICE operated parade Park performed Photo by Melvin Photo courtesy photograph picture played Pocahontas Princeton Avenue railroad Railway Senator served shown shows Smith standing station steam Street structure successful Supply taken thank Thurman Scruggs town United Wall West Virginia West Virginian Hotel WHIS-TV World young