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 the large Kaymoor, Minden, and Layland mines in the New River Coalfield.

Learn more about Berwind at the "Road To Berwind" website

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 it's 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.

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.

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