Buchanan | Dickenson | Lee | City of Norton | Russell | Scott | Tazewell | Wise | Background | Vision | Meetings | News | Adv. Committee | Home Historic Photos & Info | Norton's Loop Through Wise & Lee Counties | St. Paul Loop | Pocahontas to St. Paul

POCAHONTAS TO ST. PAUL

PHOTO COUNTY/TOWN ROAD NAME MILE DIRECTION SIDE DESCRIPTION Tazewell Pocahontas 0 West Start at Pocahontas Exhibition Mine. This is the site of the famous 12' vein - one of the largest and best quality vein in the nation. The seam has all but been exhausted but the tunnel remains open to tourists along side the old Coal office and shower house now turned into a coal museum. Within 100 yards is the old rail road rack now converted into a 2 mile walking and bicycle path. Tazewell Pocahontas 0.3 West Right Church Tazewell Pocahontas 0.4 In town Entering the Town of Pocahontas, the first and largest mining town in the Virginia Coalfields. Still remaining are many of the coal towns historic buildings including the old Opera House and a few of the saloons matched equally with the number of churches which once operated in the town. Tazewell Pocahontas In town Right Straight ahead and on the right is the remains of the Company Store Tazewell Pocahontas In town WORTHWHILE STOP. Plan to spend an hour or two in this unique historical town and see the old Opera House, learn the fateful story of Butt's casket company, stop by the haunted hospital, see the Coal Company offices now convered to a community college. Tazewell Pocahontas In town Travel down the street and see some of the company housing and a couple of the churches Tazewell Pocahontas In town At the end of the road, look up nad see the majestic home of the manager of the mines. Tazewell Pocahontas In town Turn left and wind up the hill to the Catholic Church which has numerous oil paintings on the walls and ceilings. A stop you do not want to miss. Tazewell Pocahontas 0.41 In town Head back through town, get back on the VA Coal Heritage Trail. On the left is Cricket Saloon. Tazewell Pocahontas Hwy 102 0.45 In town Left The park on the left includes an old caboose, the original train depot (not resided and used for offices). The railroad track still remains but is covered in gravel in case one day the line is reactivated to serve as a tourist ride to the community of Bramwell, another mining town just a few miles away in West Virginia. Tazewell, Pocahontas Hwy 102 0.5 In town Right Small Convenience store for a bite to eat or on the other side of town, the high school is being convered into a restaurant, lodging, shops and more. Tazewell, Leaving Pocahontas Hwy 102 0.08 East Left The Pocahontas Graveyard which covers nearly 1.2 miles and is cited in Ripley's Believe It Or Not for having more people underground that those living above a ground nearby. Many miners are buried here. At this site are three historic markers. Tazewell, Leaving Pocahontas Hwy 102 0.09 South Right At the intersection of Hwy 56 and Hwy 102, turn right onto Hwy 102 (scenic byway sign) Branwell WV Hwy 56 East Side Trip: If one continues straight, taking Hwy 52 east, one can travel 2.5 miles, crossing into WV and ending up in the town of Bramwell. Once a thriving coal company which became known as the Town of the Millionaires. Be sure to stop at the Bramwell Depot which has been converted into a small museum and visitor center for WV's Coal Heritage Trail. Bramwell WV Hwy 56 West On the way back to rejoin the Virginia Coal Heritage Trail, note the Anne Spencer pedestrian bridge to the left. Anne Spencer was a famous black poet in the early 1900s. Further down the road, a large bridge crosses the road. Turn left and see where three bridges cross over each other including two railroad crossings and a pedestrian cross walk. Tazewell Hwy 102 South Coming back to the intersection of Hwy 56 and Hwy 102, turn left onto Hwy 102 south towards Bluefield (scenic byway sign) South A unique part of this portion of the trail is that one must actually cross into WV twice to get from Pocahontas to Bluefield Tazewell Hwy 102 S 1.2 South Left Gas station and convenience store. West Virginia 1.4-2.0 South Crossing into WV, one finds a few residential homes along this route (WV sign) West Virginia 2.5 South Left Railroad on left side of road and small dam West Virginia South Right A few residential homes West Virginia Nemours 3,6 South Right Nearing the small community of Nemours includes a few mobile home. West Virginia Nemours 3.8 South Right Nemours store is one right. West Virginia Nemours 3.8-4.9 South Community of Nemours has a few reidental hoomes on both sides of the road for about a mile.

---

WMTH CORPORATION P.O. BOX 51153 BOWLING GREEN, KY 42102 PHONE (270) 792-5300
WMTH Corporation is a certified DBE.