City of Williamson

The State of West Virginia distributes the official state map free of charge. To receive the "2000 Official State Highway Map", email your name and mailing address to:

STATEMAPOFFER

Business

Communityonline

Restaurants

Communityonline

Church Web Sites

www.firstbaptistchurch.ws

Police Web Sites

WESTVIRGINIASTATEPOLICE

Back to top

Contact Information

E-mail address

mayor@williamsonwv.ws

www.williamsonwv.ws

www.trail.ws

www.feud.ws

Office phone

304-235-1510

Current Projects

“The Feud”

Hatfield and McCoy Feud

Revitalization

Museum

Outdoor ATV Trails www.heavenstrail.com

Historical Information

Williamson: Incorporated in 1905 by special charter of the Legislature. Several intervening charters have been enacted, the last a special charter, in 1933. City was named for the founder, Wallace J. Williamson, who at one time owned most of the land upon which the city is now located.

Williamson was incorporated in 1892. It was originally part of Logan County West Virginia. Williamson was originally also part of Montgomery County Va. until 1824 when it was changed to Logan County. In 1895 Mingo County was created from Logan County.

Williamson stands along the North Bank of the Tug Fork of the Big Sandy River, part of the Kentucky- West Virginia boundary.

The Norfolk and Western railroad arrived in 1892. The railroad came from Logan County through Dingess and Lenore. It followed the timbering into the area. . The town then had 27 residents. The railroad was extended to service 100 operating mines within a 20-mile radius as Williamson grew.

Williamson was chartered as a city in 1905.

The youngest County in the state, Mingo County, was named for the Mingo Tribe of Indians. Logan, Chief of the Mingo Tribe, was memorialized with a statue, which stands in front of the Chamber of Commerce.

By 1920 all of the original growth timber in the state had been timbered and a large forest fire consumed most of the state's remaining forestland.

Williamson grew from 668 people in 1910 to 9410 by 1930. In 1960 there were 6659 people and in 2000 there are 3414 people.

Before the construction of the bridges between Kentucky and West Virginia there was a Ferry that operated between the two states at the end a the road that passes in front of the present Sycamore Inn . After the Ferry a bridge was built in the same location and was later torn down.

The first log cabin school, located downtown, was replaced with a two-story frame school in the area where Main Building Grade School was and now where Williamson Middle School presently stands. The two-story frame grade school

was built in 1895 and was replaced by the brick building Main Building Grade School in 1907.

East Williamson Grade School

Williamson High School was built above it in 1917 and included a gymnasium, auditorium, and swimming pool. Williamson High School had a very active women's athletic program. Judge John Bronson recalled being given private violin lessons at the school when he attended Williamson High School.

Girls and boys basketball 1924

Liberty High School

Located on Vinson St.

There was another school, a Christian school , in town called the Williamson Presbyterian Academy which was built in 1903 on Oak Street and was then turned into a private residence , subsequently occupied by Mrs. A. L. Gus Hayes and family , and before them Mr. and Mrs. Kawaja . It remains a private residence today. It still stands at the top of Pritchard Street at the intersection of Oak Street.

Being no coincidence, the first church in Williamson was a Presbyterian church located on fourth Avenue and Harvey Street at the site in the present Goodman Manor. The congregation later moved to the church 's present location between Harvey Street and Dickinson Street on Fifth Avenue.

The First Baptist Church of Williamson began in 1898 and is located on Fifth Avenue and Harvey Street

The grandparents of Mrs. Wharton Linkous built the Olympic Opera. Stage plays from New York and Cincinnati were brought in. The Olympic Opera House was located at 2 West Fifth Avenue next to the residence of Mary Elizabeth Smith Linkous.

Mrs. Linkous and her father.

A discussion with Mrs. Linkous, now 93 years old, confirms that the Opera House presented plays from New York, Pittsburgh, and Cincinnati. Her grandmother Elizabeth Leslie Deskins

using bricks from the Williamson Brickyard in West Williamson built it. It operated to around 1913 when the theater closed. Thereafter it housed a laundry until around 1941 million it was destroyed by a boiler explosion. Two of the outside walls remain and the arches can be seen of the old Olympic Theater. Mrs. Linkous lives at 1 West Fifth Avenue and on the Harvey Street side of her home is another building built by her family which housed the Thetford Cleaners and before the cleaners housed a grocery store.

West Williamson also had a broom factory owned by Westcott's. In addition there was a greenhouse in West Williamson owned by the Vaughn’s.

The first fire station was located in the building housing the Dollar General store on second Avenue today. The JCPenney Store has previously occupied the same location. The original City Hall was located on second Avenue and the fire station and City Hall were combined in 1915 at the corner on Third Avenue and Harvey Street. The present fire station was built in 1990. City Hall presently occupies the former N and W Passenger Station on East Fourth Avenue.

The town’s livery stable was located next to the river behind the area occupied by BB&T Bank presently. The town had a resident veterinarian Charles Wilson Carlton who had his offices in the stable in 1918 and the family residence was across from Main Building Grade School at 613 Wallace Street. His son Samuel Howard Carlton succeeded him in the practice. Animals that were treated included the ponies used in the mines for hauling out the coal and Clydesdale horses used in the timbering business, as well as other livestock and small animals.

The Federal Building and Post Office was completed in 1929 at a cost of $250,000.

The Mingo Hotel formerly occupied the approximate present site of the Mountaineer Hotel. The Mountaineer Hotel construction was started in 1925 and was completed in 1926. It cost $600,000 at the time. It contained 116 rooms with baths. It is presently owned by Attorney Mark Mitchell and is being remodeled.

The Coal House is located on Second Avenue and contains 65 tons of coal as a tribute to the mining area. It was built in 1933. It presently houses the Tug Valley Chamber of Commerce.

The Mingo County Courthouse was erected in 1902 and then was torn down and rebuilt in 1967.

The First National Bank of Williamson presently occupies the site which had formerly been : The Hobbs Store, The Mingo Theater, and before that Maynard's Tea Room.

The Williamson Enterprise was the first paper in Williamson. The Mingo Republican arrived on the scene later and now the paper is the Williamson Daily News.

The first hotel in Williamson was the Esther Arms, built 1900, and was located at the site presently occupied by Community Trust Bank.

The first post office was on second Avenue on the site later occupied by the Mingo Fruit Market and recently occupied by Main Street and presently occupied by Attorney Chris Harris.

The Hippodrome Theater was opened in 1911. It was on the corner of second Avenue and Pike Street where previously the B and L. Furniture Company Annex were located and presently the JCPenney Store.

The Cinderella Theater was opened in May 1921. The Hippodrome Theater moved into it. Hyman Banks operated both.

The Day and Night Bank was located on Then and Logan Street. The Williamson State Bank was located on the corner of Third Avenue and Pike Street.

Judge Bronson recalled in the days of the silent movies that an orchestra played in the orchestra pit during the movies.

The first hospital was located on Logan Street and fifth Avenue in the location now of the Simon Apartments. The Simon Apartments were built after the hospital burned. In 1927 Williamson Memorial Hospital was built on College Hill. It is on the site of an old Indian burial mound. The new Williamson Memorial hospital was constructed in 1988 at the top of Alderson Street where the old football stadium of Williamson High School was located.

The old Williamson Cemetery located on reservation hill contains the final resting place of the founding fathers. The Wells Goodykoontz home is located to the right of the Williamson Cemetery. He was a past president of the State Senate and a United States Congressman.

The full walking tour history created by Mae Stallard, from which the majority of this article was reproduced, is available for purchase at Williamson City Hall.

A discussion with Lorraine Carlton now 78 years old brought the memory the following:

Homes and businesses located on the riverbank before the floodwall was constructed including the Top Hat Club. The A and P Grocery store located at Vinson Street between first and second Avenue. Kroger's when it was located in downtown Williamson. Brewers grocery which was located in the present Daily News Building. The Seetnac Restaurant located between second and third Avenue on Pike Street. It stands for Cantees when spelled backwards. The Piggly Wiggly Grocery Store located in approximate location of the George Poole insurance company. Where the present JCPenney story is, corner of second Avenue and Pike Street, was previously the B and L annex and before that Evans Grocery. The downtown fruit market run by Frank Giardano located across from the present Uncle Bills Loans. Armour's meatpacking company located at third Avenue and Pritchard Street. The Coca-Cola bottling plant located on second Avenue where the present Sycamore Inn stands. Mingo Lime and lumber Co. located behind the Sycamore Inn and Brass Street Restaurant. The RC bottling Co. located in West Williamson run by John Smith. The Pizza Inn located at West Williamson. Mike Sidebottom Market located across from the Field House in West Williamson. Allen's funeral home located on fifth Avenue and Harvey Street. Vance's Barber Shop located on third Avenue and Logan Street. Caplan's furniture company located on second Avenue run by Mr. Applebaum. Williamson Furniture Store located on second Avenue. Cinderella Shoe Shop located between Logan and Pike Street on second Avenue. Saul's Shoes located on second Avenue between Logan and Pike Street. Jimmy Shoe Store second Avenue between Logan and Pike Street. Jenny's Place. Michael's Bookstore, Western Auto, located between Logan and Pike Street on second Avenue. The Book Nook, The Flower Nook, located on second Avenue. The Esther Arms Hotel owned by the Hooper family. Hankins Ice Plant located where the water plant is today. Strosnider Drugstore located where Starters is today. The YMCA building in East Williamson.

The Lock Stock and Barrel Restaurant on second Avenue between Logan and Pike Street.

The Lyric Theater on second Avenue between Logan and Pike Street approximately where the Dollar Store is today.

Knobby's Dress Shop.

Brown's Dress Shop across from the Mountaineer Hotel.

Tots to Teens located between Logan Street and Pike Street on second Avenue. Schwachters Dress Shop located in the present State Farm building next to the post office. Cox's Department Store located between Logan Street and Pike Street on second Avenue. The National Style Center.

The United Clothing Store located between Logan and Pike Street on third Avenue. Cantees Department Store located between Logan and Pike Street on third Avenue.

The Man Shop Limited located on Logan Street between second and third Avenue.

Teco Firestone located in East Williamson.

Persinger Supply Company and located between Harvey Street and Dickinson Street on third Avenue.

The bowling alley located on second Avenue between Harvey and Logan Street. The pins were handset and the bowling ball was about the size of a cantaloupe.

G. C. Murphy and the Hobbs Store located on second Avenue between Harvey and Logan Street. G. C. Murphy was the present parking lot for the Mountaineer Hotel.

The Hobbs store is the present First National Bank Building.

Price Motor Company that was located at Fairview and previously at the site of the present Goodman Manor.

Hubbard Motor Co. located at Fairview and previously located across the street from the present Goodman Manor on the corner.

Citizens Motor Co. located on second Avenue between Harvey Street and Dickinson Street. It also occupied the building across the street and owned a parking garage located at the site of the present post office parking lot.

The present post office parking lot was also occupied by the Omni Mart previously. Albert’s Army Navy store located between Logan Street and Pike Street on third Avenue. Alberts located between Logan Street and Pike Street on second Avenue.

Cohen's Drugstore located in on the corner across from the present Hurley Drugstore. Poor Man's Paradise located next to Alberts.

Ms. Marti's located next to the post office.

Nelson's Dress Shop located between Logan Street and Pike Street on second Avenue. Time Finance located in the present location of Sparks Law Office. This location also previously housed the Fashion Spectacle Shop.

The Vanity Box located in the Mountaineer Hotel Building.

The C. and P. Telephone Company manual switching operator service located in the present C. and P. Telephone Company Building.

Joe Mosley's Grocery Store located on Logan Street close to the present Williamson High School. The Snack Shack located across from Williamson High School.

The Brunswick Restaurant and Pool Room located on third Avenue between Logan and Harvey Street. The Smokehouse Grill, same area.

The Day and Night Restaurant next to the present Hurley Drugstore.

Denny's restaurant located between Harvey Street and Logan Street on third Avenue.

The Terminal Inn in East Williamson.

The Tunnel Inn located in the present location of Stewart's Drive-in.

Ray Griffey's Grocery located in West Williamson across from the present Phoenix Grill. Betsy Ross Bakeries in West Williamson in the present location of the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services. This was previously Feuchtenbergers Bakery located on the corner of Second Ave. and Harvey St. where Rite Aid and Sears have been recently. It was sold to Betsy Ross and moved to West Williamson.

Edgel Maynard Gas Station present location of the Marathon Station.

Craycraft Electronics between Harvey and Logan Street on fourth Avenue.

George Williamson Bakery between Harvey and Logan Street on fourth Avenue.

Mary Eli 's Italian Restaurant between Harvey and Logan Street on third Avenue.

Gino's Pizza between Logan and Pike Street on Fourth Avenue.

Sam Henderson's Bookstore between Logan and Pike Street on Fourth Avenue.

Scott Nichols Bus Depot between Logan and Pike Street on Fourth Avenue. It Is the Present Municipal Parking Lot across from City Hall.

New Central Hotel between Harvey and Logan Street on Fourth Avenue.

Deacons Cleaners on Logan Street between Fourth and Fifth Avenue.

The Music Hotel on First Avenue between Harvey and Logan Street.

The Candy Kitchen Located on the Corner across from the Present Goodman Manor Also Housed the Mechanics Shop and also formerly a Laundry Mat.

Princess Beauty Shop East Third Avenue.

A survey marker on fifth Avenue close to the Harvey Street intersection designates the geographical center of the city of Williamson.

Williamson is the county seat of Mingo County.

Former Judges of the Circuit Court included, present Judge Michael Thornsbury, Elliot E. Spike Maynard present Supreme Court Justice, Robert J. Staker presently retired Federal District Judge.

Sheriffs of Mingo County have included present Sheriff Tennis H. Hatfield, and Tom C. Chafin.

Others will be included later. Any suggested corrections are welcome as well.

Send me your suggestions and history for inclusion preferably in writing on a computer disk.

Population: 4,154

Elevation: 660 feet

Business Interests

Chamber of Commerce/Visitors Center

www.tugvalleychamberofcommerce.com

Williamson is the business center for the vast coalfields of the Tug Valley area in West Virginia and Kentucky. Symbolic of the coal's importance to the region is the Tug Valley Chamber of Commerce Building at Second Avenue and Court Street. Known as the Coal House, it was built in 1933 from 65 tons of locally mined coal.

2^nd ave next to the Courthouse

Cecil Hatfield: Executive Director

ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES