ELBERT, WV

VIEWS OF ELBERT, WV - COMMUNITY

The following paragraph was written for Wilcoe (No.1) and Wilcoe railroad yard.

U. S. Steel obtained a coal lease of 50,000 acres that began here at Tug River and extended several miles southward that contained the world-famous Pocahontas No.3 coal seam.  But before coal shipments could begin, United States Steel had to reach an agreement with the N&W Railroad for them to build its Tug Fork Branch railroad to reach the mining operations.  The U. S. Coal & Coke Company's mining complex was destined to become known as the largest in the world and the railroad needed a railcar assembly yard and steam engine service facility to accommodate a mining operation of this size.  Approximately one-half mile downstream of the Tug River community, the N&W Railroad built that facility.  That railyard was named Wilcoe Yard, in honor of William W. Coe, the chief Civil Engineer for the N&W Railroad.  By 1910, a large coal mining community had been constructed at Tug Rivier and on April 1, 1910, the post office was renamed Wilcoe.  This and much more historical information about the U. S. Coal & Coke Company in McDowell County West Virginia can be found in the book "Gary Hollow" by Alex Schust.

Elbert was named for Judge Elbert Henry Gary.  He was a lawyer and one of the original founders of U. S. Steel Corporation in 1902.  In 1905, U. S. Steel's newly formed subsidiary company, U. S. Coal Coke Company, began construction on its Gary No. 7 and No. 8 mining complexes at Elbert.  The No. 7 mine was assigned 2,900 acres in the Pocahontas No.4 coal seam and by 1944 the coal seam had been mined out and the mine was shut down. TheNo.8 mine was assigned 2,214 acres in the Pocahontas No.4 coal seam and operated off and on until the early 1970's although in the later years its coal was being pulled through to the No.9 mine and its tipple at Filbert.

Text provided by: Buddy French

U.S. Coal & Coke Company's Elbert, WV community. This was the location of the No.7 mine. - 1908

 In 1905, there was nothing but wilderness here and you can see how quickly this area was transformed in just three years.

Elbert, WV - 1928 : L to R is the recreation enter, compsny store and clubhouse. At upper right is the Gary No.7 coal tipple. Buddy French and his wife lived in that clubhouse in 1966.

Center of Elbert, WV - October, 1945. This community was built by the U. S. Coal & Coke Company for the No. 7 coal mining complex.

Elbert WV U. S. Coal & Coke Company, Gary No.7 Elbert Department Store at Elbert in 1940's. Buddy French worked in this store in 1962.

Elbert , WV company store & bus stop

Elbert, WV boys -1946.

Elbert WV residents - Elbert, WV - 1946

Looking down through Elbert , WV "Seven Bottom" community with "Elbrt Height" community on right hillside - 1930.

U.S. Coal & Coke Company Recreation Center - 1920's. The building contained a movie theater, bowling alley,

pool hall, dance hall, restaurent, barbara shop, post office and coal company security office.

Elbert'Filbert Grade School May 7, 1924.

Elbert ,WV restaurent - 1930's.

Home of coal miner Anthony Durham, Elbrt, WV - July 7, 1927. Takes coal company first place prize for gardening.