Walking Tour of Matewan Historic District.

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Dedicated in 2012, this West Virginia historical marker shares the history of an 1920 attack on coal miners. On May 19, 1920, 13 armed men working for the Baldwin-Felts Detective Agency came to the town of Matewan with the intention of evicting pro-union miners from coal company-owned houses. The Matewan Chief of Police, Sid Hatfield, the Mayor, Cabell Cornell Testerman, and several other locals gathered at the Matewan train station to arrest the coal company's hired guns on the grounds that the evictions were unlawful. However, the Baldwin Felts Detectives refused to recognize the authority of law enforcement. A shootout occurred, and while the details of that episode of violence are debated, all agree that when the smoke cleared seven detectives, two miners, and mayor Testerman had all been fatally wounded. The Matewan Massacre was one of many violent conflicts to take place in southern West Virginia in the early 20th century (known as the "Mine Wars") between pro-union miners and men hired by the coal companies to use force and intimidation to prevent the formation of unions.

2. Matewan Flood Wall and 1977 Flood

On April 2, 1977, rain began to pour onto the coalfields of West Virginia. Some places in this region received more than fifteen inches of rain. All of this rain ran down the steep, mountainous terrain and into the Tug Fork River that separates the state from Kentucky. Matewan is a small town situated on the banks of this river. The river quickly rose, essentially annihilating the town as a whole. Matewan is located in one of the poorest counties in the state, and recovery from millions of dollars in damage required a community effort and outside aid.

3. Nenni's Department Store Building

Nenni's Department Store was constructed in 1915 by the Schaeffer Brothers before later being purchased by the Nenni family in 1918. The business was an important location in Matewan, West Virginia, functioning as the town's sole department store for the majority of the latter half of the 20th century. The store opened in 1919 by the Nenni family and though business waned in the latter half of the 20th century it remained open until the early 2000s. The former store is located in the Matewan Historic District, and because of its importance to the town's history, it is recognized as a contributing site. Since its closure the building has become the site of numerous other business, including a tax service, a Mexican restaurant, and a beauty parlor.

4. West Virginia Mine Wars Museum

Located in the former Chambers Hardware store in Matewan, the back wall of the West Virginia Mine Wars Museum still bears bullet holes from the legendary conflict it represents. While the Matewan Massacre shootout itself was only one occurrence in a massive chain of labor strikes, killings and political machinations, it helped touch off a catastrophic series of events that culminated in the assassination of Sheriff Sid Hatfield (of Hatfield and McCoy fame) and the infamous Battle of Blair Mountain--where 10,000 armed miners fought for several days against several thousand deputies and private coal company militiamen. The museum commemorates these events and explores them from the perspective of the common coal miner.

5. The Historic Matewan House

The Historic Matewan House was built in 1908 along Mate Street in Matewan, a city in Mingo County, West Virginia. The home was built by the Chambers family, who were prominent in the community as a result of the pharmacy and hardware store they owned and operated. The house was caught in the crossfires of the battle which occurred between miners, city officials, and detectives during the Matewan Massacre, for which the building and those around it was recognized by the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Matewan Historic District. The residence is now operated by Ellen and Dave Hatfield as the Historic Matewan House Bed and Breakfast. The business features rooms which are each specific to a certain aspect of the town's culture in addition to offering daily tours centered on the Hatfield & McCoy feud.

6. Appalachian Lost and Found Museum & Artisan Shop

The Appalachian Lost and Found is a local artisan shop and museum which is located in the Matewan Historic District in Mingo County, West Virginia. The store was opened in March 2018 by two local men, and was developed after efforts by the Turn the Town Around project which sought to make a name for Matewan outside of its bloody history. The store is working on a museum of old relics which have been found around Matewan and other areas of Appalachia to create a unique view of the town and region's history. In addition to this, they sell antique art and art created by local artists, both of which are on display in the shop area of the business.

7. Matewan Depot Replica Museum and Welcome Center

This museum and welcome center opened in 2002 and is located in a replica of the historic Matewan Station. The original depot was established in 1893 and was a bustling location in the coal town of Matewan until the last train came through in 1969. Even though the depot is fairly new, the building is full of authentic historic artifacts and offers exhibits and guides to welcome you to this historic part of the country and its connection to coal mining and labor history. Even the origin of the name Matewan is colorful, as Matewan is the namesake of a few townspeople who arrived in the 1890’s. The name combined the name of a favorite pet in one family and the hometown of another man who journeyed to the area a few years later.

This Tour is a Walking Tour.

Walking Tour of Matewan Historic District.

Created by Miranda Smith on November 28th 2018, 7:26:54 pm.

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Description

Matewan, WV is a small town located in the southern part of Mingo County. The town, now largely considered a ghost town, is perhaps most famous for playing roles in the Hatfield & McCoy Feud and the Matewan Mine Wars. The Heart of Matewan, WV has since been declared a historic district as a result. While many of the events relating to both the war and the feud did not happen directly within the Matewan Historic District itself, the area has since established a museum and a depot to commemorate them. Other highlights of the tour feature the old Nenni Department Store and the town's historic Flood Wall.

Entries on This Tour

Walking Tour of Matewan Historic District.

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