Big Bend Engineering Building
This building, built in the Jenny Lin style, was used by the railroad and the contractors during the construction of the Big Bend Tunnel 1930-1932. It is the only remaining structure left standing from that enterprise.
While it is unknown for what specific purposes it was used, it has been the consensus that the engineers used one side of it as an office. The other side could have been used for tool storage, living quarters, or something entirely different.
It should be noted that the building has been moved at least five times. The first being after the completion of the tunnel. Its last move was from the vicinity of the main entrance of the park to its current location which is close to its original location.
The last owner used the building from 1989 - 2006 as a small business where he bought and sold wild ginseng, goldenseal, other native botanical's along with local cut stone, firewood, fish bait, fishing supplies, and produce. The location at that time was at the intersection of Judson Road across the highway from the main entrance to the park.
During the time that he operated it, people that had information about the building relayed bits of its history to him. It has been used as a commissary, a justice of peace office, and a residential home where many local families resided over
this page online
Caption
Dewey Hypes, Big Bend Project Engineer
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1989.
Location. 37° 39.036′ N, 80° 45.923′ W. Marker is in Talcott, West Virginia, in Summers County. Marker is on West Virginia Route 3, on the right when traveling east. The marker is on the grounds of the John Henry Historical Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Talcott WV 24981, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Tunnel Construction Technology Improves (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); John Henry In Fiction (about 500 feet away); Great Bend Tunnel Construction (about 500 feet away); John Henry (about 600 feet away); Concrete & Cut Stone Foundations (about 600 feet away); The Legend Of John Henry (about 600 feet away); John Henry Burial Site (about 800 feet away); Why The Tunnel Was Built (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Talcott.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 3, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 20, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 125 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 20, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 3. submitted on November 22, 2022, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. 4. submitted on January 20, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
