Jenkinjones, West Virginia

In about 2010, I became interested in the coal town of Jenkinjones, located in McDowell County West Virginia. Jenkinjones is the namesake for a Welshman named, curiously, Jenkin Jones. He was one of the pioneers of what came to be called the Pocahontas Coalfield. His vision was made real by a company that dominated the coalfield, Pocahontas Fuel.

Pocahontas Fuel Office in Jenkinjones, West Virginia

So, why Jenkinjones? It had a cool sounding name, and it had the exact things that just threw all of the pre conceived ideas of a coal town up in the air. The Pocahontas Coalfield meant WEALTH, POWER and above all else, an incredible chance to show success to your competition. HOW does one do that? Why, they hire a European trained architect and build INCREDIBLE structures. The Pocahontas Fuel Offices, at Jenkinjones, reside to date on the National Register of Historic Places....

They do this in the middle of the remote roads and towns of McDowell County West Virginia. Neoclassical revivalist architecture which is in some instances being reclaimed by nature.

Detail of Office Corner

The offices are GROSSLY vandalized and defiant. Even after the coal was mined out, the energy of work, and its obvious former wealth are still visible.....

Who were they? 

View through Office Window at Jenkinjones

Where are they?

Inside the Office at Jenkinjones

Below is coalclops......Actually, these are the little coal storage bins in front of an average home in Jenkinjones. Thought I would get a closer look. I honestly hope folks remember using these.

DIET RITE........Bland cola, but it was nice to see the original colors in the sign...

THIS building is rather specioal also in Jenkinjones. It is the local UMWA Union Hall for Jenkinjones. PAST its prime, but I had to stop, and just look and wonder what was said in that building?? 

The Union Halls neighbor, The Walker Store. I had to get this pic, because one day, that sign would fade.

The wood trestle, located on wood trestle road......

Below is the wonderfully maintained church, just at the trestle

Most, never think, behind the trestle, the attachment at the center of the trestle is where a brave soul would stand

SO, I did a stupid thing, I managed to get to the top and while I had a ball again, yeah, I am not doing this again

There are no words, the two buildings below again show the ever present Pocahontas Fuel. The store and post office both reside on the National Register of Historic places.