Bluefield, West Virginia
From West Virginia (WV) Cyclopedia
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A community in Mercer County, Bluefield, WV was incorporated in 1889. Bluefield was so named because of the luxuriant growth in that section at the time of a weed, with a dark blue flower, which is a species of chicory, and also because of the blue grass which grows in such abundance in the county.
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Development of Bluefield, WV
In 1883 the first shipment of coal from the Flat Top - Pocahontas Coal Field occurred at a mine in Pocahontas, Virginia (VA) via the newly completed Norfolk and Western Railroad (http://www.wvrailroads.net/index.php/Norfolk_%26_Western_Railway) (N&W). By the following year the N&W had extended its rail line into West Virginia, reaching several new mines near Bramwell, WV.
In 1884, Bluefield was merely a flag stop on the farm of John B. Higginbotham located along the N&W mainline, with one short siding where one locomotive and three or four railroad cars could be stored. Soon afterwards, the N&W began construction of maintenance and support facilities at a location called Higginbotham's Summit. This point, the highest point on the N&W mainline, allowed for construction of a hump yard, a gravity-operated switching yard for the railroad's freight cars. By the early-1900's, 75-miles of track were located within the city limits of Bluefield.
As the expansion of the area's vast coalfield continued the town developed rapidly as an office and residential town for the mining industry and railroad. In December of 1889, Bluefield was incorporated as a town, with Joseph M. Sanders as its first mayor. Bluefield attracted several new business firms during the 1890's, including the Bluefield Telephone Company, in 1883, and Bluefield Hardware, in 1898. In about 1892, the Bluefield Inn opened, offering European-styled lodging accommodations and dining.
Bluefield's population grew quickly during its developing years, increasing from 600 in 1890 to 4,644 in 1900, to 11,188 in 1910. By 1930 Bluefield was the 7th largest city in West Virginia, with a population of more than 20,000.
Bluefield's post office, established in September, 1886, was advanced to first-class rank in 1911. During the same time period, Bluefield was the official seat of the Appalachian Power Company, which then owned five separate power sites on the New River near Pulaski, Virginia, and an electric railroad line provided transportation within the city and interurban service to Princeton and into Virginia.
The industrial awakening around Bluefield, WV naturally produced some agitation in favor or removing the county seat from Princeton to the center of greater activities. In November, 1898, on petition of 1257 persons residing principally at Bluefield, Bramwell and neighboring places, the question was submitted to popular election, resulting in the defeat of the proposition by a large majority. In March, 1906, the question was again submitted to election, resulting in of 2,098 for removal and 5,174 against removal.
Variant Name(s) for Bluefield, WV
Beaver Pond Spring, Beaver Pond Springs
