Nuttallburg Coal Mining Complex and Town: Cultural Landscapes Inventory, New River Gorge National River
Shields J. 2025. Nuttallburg Coal Mining Complex and Town: Cultural Landscapes Inventory, New River Gorge National River. Cultural Landscapes Inventory Report. 300205. National Park Service. NPS Northeast Regional Office, Boston, Massachusetts / CRIS-CL Database
Nuttallburg is situated in a remote region of the New River Gorge in West Virginia. The area is predominantly wooded with remnants of the mining operation that transformed the site into an industrial boomtown during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Originally, the site consisted of around 80 single and multiple family dwellings, a store, railroad station, and post office. Mining facilities included coke ovens, a tipple, conveyor, headhouse, blacksmith shop, and sand house, among others. These structures were built on the slopes of the gorge along the New River. Second growth forest stands and the introduction of invasive species such as kudzu and Japanese jointgrass has changed the character of the site from when it was founded. Although few buildings remain at the site today, the town retains the same spatial organization represented during its period of significance. The roads still pass through the tipple level, branching to connect the numerous foundation ruins. Many of the retaining walls are in remarkable condition, despite overgrown vegetation. The timber used in the construction of the residential structures has deteriorated in the humid conditions along the river, yet the cut stone building foundations remain intact. Despite severe rust, the major mine buildings are extant.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Shields, Joshua
- Date of Issue
- 2025
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- NER , NERI
- Keywords
- Archeology, church, Clubhouse, Coal, Construction, Depot, Developing the American Economy, domestic, Education, Engineering, Exraction, Fordson Coal Company, Government, Historic Vernacular Landscape, Industry, John Nuttall, Mine, Mining, New River Gorge, Nuttall, Nuttall Station, Nuttallburg, Post Office, Rail-Related, Railroads, residential, Ruin, school, Transportation, West Virginia