The Neighborhood

Don't we all love to hear its a beautiful day in the neighborhood?? All joking aside, the collection of pics below will be updated and sorted properly. They represent a few places, Gauley Bridge and Williamson West Virginia. The theme of change and movement via rail and bridge to transport the coal, is always the same. This is a DRAFT, but there will be more changes. Feel free to leave comments, and remember that clicking on an image will show you its full size.

 Springton, West Virginia

Springton, located in Mercer County West Virginia has a surprise as you drive by Matoaka. It still has its company store. ALL brick and rather incredible with what looks to be a neo classical design. I am reminded as I see Springton, IF you see it, IF you think its cool, take a picture. Buildings do not bite and the people, always the people, were very helpful. I will have more pics of Matoaka later, BUT I could not resist at least showing the caboose...which I have learned is gone now, (2022). This is a DRAFT series of pages and more revisions will be coming. PLEASE do feel free to comment. Clicking each image will show you its original size.

This WAS in Matoaka, but no more. LOVE this design. I hope a train fan can tell me more

The Springton Company store combined its Post Office and its main community store in one place. This was a very normal thing in a coal town.

In its day, this would have been gorgeous.  I would urge extreme caution and NOT go inside as the floors are gone or are now collapsing. That did not bother me. Despite its abandonment, it is beautiful.

Before I conclude this entry, I ask all of you one thing, will you follow me into these places??? The images below, tell me, I have to follow, and help and look...

 Rhodell,West Virginia

Rhodell was a town until 2017. In 2017, Rhodell fell into the category of an unincorporated community. I know as a fact Rhodell was a booming coal town. It was filled with churches, a post office, stores etc etc . In the 1970's I very much enjoyed going to the Gulf Market in Rhodell. Gulf, because yes, Rhodell was a booming coal town again in the Winding Gulf Coal Field of West Virginia. I am torn about Rhodell now in 2022. It has been, to use layman speak, ridden hard and put up wet. Vandalism in the form of arson has reduced Rhodell to a ghostly hulk. AND Rhodell now is a giant SPEED TRAP. Sadly, my memories and my timing in its photography kind of held together. Most of the buildings you see below have been burned, and honestly if you are in that much of a hurry to piss away our culture and heritage, I am truly sorry. I will have further updates and please do feel free to leave comments.

BEFORE you get to Rhodell, you see East Gulf....yes, East Gulf was a HUGE coal town and the 2 pictures below serve only as a road reference. There will be more pics of East Gulf later as well