( The enhanced Lamar Tipple image supplied by: Buddy French. )

LAMAR (ALGONQUIN) WV

Algonguin coal mine and town was opened circa 1915 by the Algonquin Coal Company. There were Algonquin No. 1 and No. 2 mines in Pocahontas No. 3 coal. It might not have been the fanciest coal town, but it did have a post office, comapny store, movie theatre, bowling alley, and club house. In 1930 the Lamar Colliery Colliery took ownership of Algonquin. After that it was known as Lamar. Maps of the area reflect the name change. Lamar Colliery Company closed the mine in 1953.

Lamar, West Virginia is an unincorporated community in Wyoming and Mercer counties, located 4 miles northwest of Matoaka. The Algonquin Coal Company founded the area around 1915 and originally named it Algonquin, but in 1930, the Lamar Colliery Company took ownership and renamed it Lamar, likely after the Lamar family.