BERWIND, WV
The Berwind family was experienced in building large scale coal mining camps in Western Pennsylvania under the name
Berwind-White Coal Company. When they decided to expand into Southern West Virginia they called their company New River and Pocahontas Consolidated Coal Company.
N.R.& P.C.C.Co. No. 1 and No. 2 mines were located at Berwind, a company town that the coal barons named for themselves. A store, bank, theatre, post office, clubhouse,
Union Church, and Catholic Church were also constructed. The first coal was shipped from Berwind in
1906. At some point in history coke ovens were constructed in Berwind. In 1961 Pocahontas Fuel Company became the operators of the Berwind operation, and they closed it down for good in 1967.
Today the tipple site is totally reclaimed.
New River & Pocahontas Consolidated Coal Company also operated other McDowell County coal mines, such as the ones at Canebrake and Capels; as well as the large Kaymoor, Minden, and Layland mines in the New River Coalfield.
The Berwind tipple in the middle of the 20th Century.
Overall view of the Berwind coal camp.
This style of coal camp housing is the same that U.S. Steel was using several miles away in some of their coal camps such as Elbert.
Coal miners' homes along the railroad track.
The largest house in Berwind, WV was the doctor's house.
Because Berwind was one of the largest and most developed company towns it even had its own bank, which was organized in 1910. The Masonic Lodge used the upper floor
for years. Now they enjoy the use of the whole building.
The bank, along with the company offices and company store, a long time ago.
Berwind had a much larger school than most company towns.
This church was built right against a company house.
To honor the coal and rail history in Berwind the citizens have placed this Norfolk & Western caboose on display in their town.
This structure is described by WV State Office of Historical Preservation as the former Berwind train station.
1956 image courtesy of James Jack, Jr.
Feb. 2005 image by author
Feb. 2005 image by author
Feb. 2005 image by author
Feb. 2005 image by author
Feb. 2005 image by author
Image source forgotten
Feb. 2005 image by author
Feb. 2005 image by author
Feb. 2005 image by author
Feb. 2012 WV SHPO image