Welch in McDowell County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Isaiah A. Welch

— National Coal Heritage Trail —

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

1. Isaiah A. Welch Marker

Inscription. Captain Isaiah Arnold Welch (circa 1824-1902) was a land surveyor, civil engineer, and captain in the Confederate Army. Welch was hired by Major Jedediah Hotchkiss, a cartographer, to survey the coal and timber values in southern West Virginia. In 1873, Welch began surveying what would become the Pocahontas coalfields. He was impressed by the quality and quantity of coal but feared it would be a couple of generations before the coal could be transported to markets. Welch’s report created interest amongst capitalists and led to the development of the coal industry in McDowell County.

In 1889, Welch purchased 164.98 acres at the junction of the Tug Fork River and Elkhorn Creek from John Henry Hunt. Welch then divided the land into lots and began selling them to coal barons and entrepreneurs who built stores, banks, churches, schools, and homes near downtown and along the hill tops. The new city became a service center for the railroad and coal industries and county seat of McDowell County. The City of Welch was named in honor of Captain Welch.

Erected by National Coal Highway Authority and America’s Byways.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Natural Resources • Political Subdivisions • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1889.

Location.

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37° 25.941′ N, 81° 35.061′ W. Marker is in Welch, West Virginia, in McDowell County. Marker is at the intersection of Wyoming Street (West Virginia Route 26) 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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Ethnic Population of McDowell County (here, next to this marker); Hatfield & Chambers (here, next to this marker); McDowell County Courthouse (here, next to this marker); Welch (a few steps from 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.

More about this marker. This interpretive panel includes four images captioned as follows, clockwise from top:

Captain Isaiah Welch

Captain Welch died on February 15, 1902 in St. Albans, West Virginia. He is buried in the Oak Hill Cemetery near Bramwell, West Virginia.

Map of the Pocahontas coalfields where Isaiah Welch surveyed in West Virginia in the 1870s.

View of Welch,
Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 24, 2021

2. Isaiah A. Welch Marker
West Virginia, in January 1903

Close Up of Map Reproduced on This Panel image. Click for full size.

July 24, 2021

3. Close Up of Map Reproduced on This Panel

Click on image to zoom in.

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

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

4. Welch National Coal Heritage Trail Interpretive Site

This marker is the center interpretive panel of the three upright panels.

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 646 times since then and 303 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 2, 2021, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.