Welch in McDowell County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
McDowell County Courthouse
— National Coal Heritage Trail —
Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 24, 2021
1. McDowell County Courthouse Marker
Inscription.
McDowell County Courthouse. . The McDowell County Courthouse stands on a grassy lot overlooking Wyoming Street. Welch was selected as the county seat after a lengthy debate ever its location. Prior to the 1892 election, the courthouse had been located in Perryville and Coalwood but as the population around Welch increased, residents demanded that Welch be named the county seat. The controversy was settled when McDowell County citizens voted for Welch as the court’s location. The following year, Captain Isaiah Welch gave the County Court of McDowell a piece of land for the courthouse and jail. , Construction of the McDowell County Courthouse began in 1893. Frank Pierce Milburn, an architect during the 19th and 20th centuries, designed the courthouse. Contractors C.W. and C.H. Rush built the Romanesque Revival style courthouse using Berea stones. The courthouse and jail were completed in 1894 and cost approximately $43,000. In 1909, an addition was built to house the county and city clerks' offices. Three more additions, including a new jail, were constructed behind the courthouse between 1963 and 1979.
The McDowell County Courthouse stands on a grassy lot overlooking Wyoming Street.
Welch was selected as the county seat after a lengthy debate ever its location. Prior to the
1892 election, the courthouse had been located in Perryville and Coalwood but as the
population around Welch increased, residents demanded that Welch be named the
county seat. The controversy was settled when McDowell County citizens voted for Welch
as the court’s location. The following year, Captain Isaiah Welch gave the County Court of
McDowell a piece of land for the courthouse and jail.
Construction of the McDowell County Courthouse began in
1893. Frank Pierce Milburn, an architect during the 19th and
20th centuries, designed the courthouse. Contractors C.W.
and C.H. Rush built the Romanesque Revival style courthouse
using Berea stones. The courthouse and jail were completed in
1894 and cost approximately $43,000. In 1909, an addition was
built to house the county and city clerks' offices. Three more
additions, including a new jail, were constructed behind the
courthouse between 1963 and 1979.
Erected by National Coal Highway Authority and America’s Byways.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1892.
Location.
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37° 25.941′ N, 81° 35.065′ W. Marker is in Welch, West Virginia, in McDowell County. Marker is at the intersection of Wyoming Street (West Virginia Route 16) and Bank Street, on the right when traveling north on Wyoming Street. It is in the pocket park located at the southwest corner of courthouse square. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Welch WV 24801, United States of America. Touch for directions.
3. Welch National Coal Heritage Trail Interpretive Site
This marker is the first interpretive panel on the left, just to the right of the silver and black monopole state historical marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 2, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2021, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 171 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on August 2, 2021, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
