Mullens in Wyoming County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Itmann Company Store
America’s Byways
— Coal Heritage Trail — National Coal Heritage Area —
Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 15, 2019
1. Itmann Company Store Interpretive Panel
Just west of Mullens in the town of Itmann is the former company store of the Pocahontas Fuel Company. It is one of the most spectacular remnants of the coal boom era in the entire state. The town of Itmann, named after Isaac T. Mann—principal shareholder of Pocahontas Fuel and President of the Bank of Bramwell—was built in 1916. The Pocahontas No. 3 mine started production in 1917.
The company store was designed by noted coalfield architect Alex B. Mahood and constructed between 1923 and 1925 by Italian immigrant stonemasons. Stone for the project was cut from cliffs across the Guyandotte River and hauled to the site. As was often the case, this company store was located in the middle of the town and served multiple purposes. It was here that residents purchased food, clothing, household goods, furniture, and even caskets. In addition to providing a store for the miners and families, the building housed the general offices of Pocahontas Fuel, a post office, doctor’s office, pool room, and barber shop. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. The company store is privately owned and is not available for tours.
Erected by America’s Byways: Coal Heritage Trail, National Coal Heritage Area.
Topics. This historical marker is listed
this page online
Location. 37° 34.702′ N, 81° 23.323′ W. Marker is in Mullens, West Virginia, in Wyoming County. Marker is at the intersection of Guyandotte Avenue (West Virginia Route 16) and Lester Street when traveling west on Guyandotte Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mullens WV 25882, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Mullens Historic District (here, next to this marker); Mullens (here, next to this marker); The Richest Little Railroad in the World (here, next to this marker); The Virginian Arrives (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Mullens (within shouting distance of this marker); Virginian Railway Motor Barn (approx. half a mile away); Virginian Railway Station (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Mullens (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mullens.
More about this marker. There are two photographs on the interpretive panel. On the right is a photograph of Itmann showing “the company store and offices of the Pocahontas Fuel
Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 15, 2019
2. Five Interpretive Panels in Mullens
This panel is the rightmost panel.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 15, 2019
3. Itmann Company Store Today
Credits. This page was last revised on June 9, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 26, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 282 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 26, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
