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. 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 and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture

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• Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Coal Heritage Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1892.

Location. 37° 25.941′ N, 81° 35.065′ W. Marker is in Welch, West Virginia, in McDowell County. It 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.

Regionally, this marker is in the Southern Coalfields.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hatfield & Chambers (here, next to this marker); Welch (here, next to this marker); Isaiah A. Welch (here, next to this marker); Ethnic Population of McDowell County (here, next to this marker); McDowell County (a few steps from this marker); McDowell County Courthouse / Sid Hatfield (a few steps from this marker); Marthan H. Moore Riverfront Park (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Welch History (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Welch.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 24, 2021

2. McDowell County Courthouse Marker

Welch National Coal Heritage Trail Interpretive Site image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 24, 2021

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 493 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 2, 2021, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.