Coal Heritage Trail

Children and adult visitors look at miner tool exhibits at the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine Visitor Center.

Thurmond’s “main street” consists of railroad tracks laid parallel to the fronts of the commercial buildings.

An engineering feat and regional icon, the New River Gorge Bridge connects the flourishing, green east and west banks of the river between two previously isolated communities.

Displaying a wealth of fall reds, yellows, and golds in the deciduous trees in the surrounding mountains, the view from an overlook at Hawk’s Nest State Park provides a look far into the West Virginian distance.

The massive steel structure supporting the bridge is visible under US 19 as it travels into the distance on a misty and foggy day.

An empty street runs between the redbrick buildings of the Mount Hope Historic District on a gray day.

A small country store on the right side of the curving road is surrounded by hills and rugged landscape at Chimney Corner.

Constructed of brick with a stone lintel inscribed with “New River Company Cranberry Store,” the building has fallen upon hard times, as witnessed by the numerous bathtubs and radiators positioned on the porch and in front of the building, as well as piles of unknown materials inside.

The Bank of Glen Jean, built by Thomas McKell in 1909, is constructed of random broken ashlar stone in a soft yellow color and emanates a strong and solid presence due to its excellent construction (28-inch thick walls) and history of operation by the McKell family.

This reconstructed train depot serves as an information center and the southern interpretive center for The Coal Heritage Trail.

The Whipple Company Store’s main entrance is prominently marked by a large arch, adding to the unusual architecture of the building.

Along an unpopulated street in Fayetteville stands many historic structures still in use today. The Fayette County National Bank was constructed in 1906-1907 from native stone hauled from the Cotton Hill area.

With lush green trees and a sidewalk lined with people, the Canyon Rim Visitor Center for the New River Gorge National River provides interpretive exhibits about the historic relationship between the New River and the members of the area's mining communities.

A pull-off on Fayette Station Road showcases the New River Gorge Bridge through the leafy foliage of summer.

The Goodwill House overlooks historic Bramwell, home to many coal barons who began the coal industry in southern West Virginia.

Main Street in Bramwell remains virtually unchanged from the days when coal was king, and Bramwell was home to 14 millionaires.

Surrounded by softly lit hills, the calm water of Bluestone Lake mirrors orange and pink light from the sun.

The blue water of the New River Gorge National River flows through rolling hills of vibrant foliage.

A little girl holds up her prized catch of the day along the New River in West Virginia.

Two men are enjoying a day of fishing along the New River in West Virginia.

Rocks and fallen leaves line the way on this user hiking trail.

Glimpses of a mountain can be seen behind the leafless trees.

Built in 1922 by Empire Coal & Coke Company as their Miner's Clubhouse, the building was saved and restored after the floods of 2001 and 2002 by Dan and Elisse Clark, who opened their home as the Elkhorn Inn & Theatre Bed-and-Breakfast in 2003.

Also called Tyree Tavern, the gray-roofed, white-walled Halfway House would have been much more active during the time travelers such as Daniel Webster, Henry Clay and John Breckenridge sought the shortest east-west route between the Blue Ridge and Allegheny mountains.

Bare trees line the way to the final resting ground of Pocahontas.

A picture of the McDowell County Courthouse on the Coal Heritage Trail.

Light catches the stone facade of the Historic Itmann Company Store.

The United Mine Workers of America Hall gives a history of the struggle to establish collective bargaining in American industrial life in the twentieth century.

Pinnacle Rock State Park showcases this unique geological formation located along the Coal Heritage Trail.

Sunlight filters through fall trees, speckling the road with light.