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MULLENS

COMMERCIAL ANCHOR OF THE WINDING GULF FIELD

Mullens was first settled by A.J. Mullins in the 1890s before the coal and rail industry blossomed in the area. Yes, that is how he spelled his name - with an "i". Mullens became a boom town because the main line of the Virginian ran through it and the railroad decided to put their rail yard and repair shop there. The town is located on the Guyandotte River in Wyoming County, and is still called home by many people, but the boom days are definitely over.

Note: Some of these pictures were taken in February 2001, before the flood of July 8, 2001 devastated Mullens.

Feb. 2001 image by author

Downtown Mullens.

Feb. 2001 image by author

The Hotel Wyoming.

Feb. 2001 image by author

The Bank of Mullens building now houses an insurance agency.

Apr. 2007 image by author

The old Virginian locomotive garage. N-S used it for a while, but must have decided that they didn't need a shop in Mullens and Bluefield. It has since been demolished.

Feb. 2001 image by author

The lower end of the rail yard (called the "Elmore Yard").

Dec. 2014 image by author

A residential section of Mullens shows that there was no room to spare when laying the town out in the steep narrow Guyandotte River valley.

Dec. 2014 image by author

This Coal Miners' Memorial is new since the last time I went through Mullens, W.Va.

Mar. 2020 image by author

Mullens streetscape.

Mar. 2020 image by author

First Presbyterian Church.

Mar. 2020 image by author

Unlike some buildings in downtown Mullens this one is still being used. I like the Art-Deco curved corner.

Mar. 2020 image by author

Early to mid-20th Century commercial buildings.

Mar. 2020 image by author

Another view of these commercial structures.

Mar. 2020 image by author

The artist who painted this mural is very talented and did a great job with the project. But when I see these "heritage" murals in dying communities I get a melancholy feeling because about all that is left for these towns is reminiscing about the good old days.

Mar. 2020 image by author

Veterans memorial and a mural depicting soldiers returing home from World War I.

Mar. 2020 image by author

Industrial structures in Mullens.

Mar. 2020 image by author

Detail of ghost sign.

Mar. 2020 image by author

Weirdness in a storefront window. And this photo was taken in March of the year.

Mar. 2020 image by author

Mar. 2020 image by author

Mar. 2020 image by author

Mar. 2020 image by author

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