Near Bluefield in Mercer County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
A Tunnel Runs Through It
National Coal Heritage Area
Photographed by Bradley Owen, August 8, 2025
1. A Tunnel Runs Through It Marker
For many years, motorists wishing to cross the West Virginia-Virginia state line navigated the scenic but narrow and twisting route of old US-52 up and over East River Mountain. The top of East River Mountain featured a visitor information center and overlook, the Museum of the Hills, the East River Mountain Craft Shop, and the Ridge Runner railroad attraction.
To save motorists time and travel hazards, state engineers in the 1960s called for Interstate 77 to travel through tunnels at East River Mountain and its "sister" at Big Walker Mountain. The East River Mountain Tunnel reduced travel by 13 miles and bypassed the developments at East River Mountain Overlook.
While the visitor center, craft shop and museum closed and the Ridge Runner has moved elsewhere, the East River Mountain Overlook still provides beautiful scenic views of Bluefield and remains a popular tourist destination.
(Sidebar):
East River Mountain Tunnel
Location: Bluefield, WV
Construction Years: 1969-1974
Distance: 5412 feet long
# of Lanes: 4
Cost: $40,000,000
Big Walker Tunnel
Location: Bland, VA
Construction Years: 1967-1972
Distance:
this page online
# of Lanes: 4
Cost: $50,000,000
(Captions):
Aerial view of East River Mountain. Mel Grubb took this photo of the Ridge Runner, visitor center, museum, and craft shop. Photo courtesy of the Eastern Regional Coal Archives.
Postcard view of Bluefield, West Virginia from East River Mountain. Courtesy of the Eastern Regional Coal Archives.
East River Mountain Tunnel under construction. Photo courtesy of Eastern Regional Coal Archives
Erected 2023 by Mercer County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles.
Location. 37° 15.279′ N, 81° 11.078′ W. Marker is near Bluefield, West Virginia, in Mercer County. It is on East River Mountain Road (West Virginia Route 598) just west of Overlook Lane, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located at the East River Mountain Scenic Overlook pull-off. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2301 Scenic Drive, Bluefield WV 24701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Southern Coalfields.
Photographed by Bradley Owen, August 8, 2025
2. A Tunnel Runs Through It Marker
The marker is in the center of the photo.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Welcome to West Virginia (here, next to this marker); World's Smallest Railroad (here, next to this marker); Miss Blanche Miller's Kindergarten and Continuation School (approx. 1.9 miles away); Hotel Thelma (approx. 2.2 miles away); Bluefield (approx. 2.2 miles away); East End Bluefield African American Historic Sites (approx. 2.2 miles away); Kee Federal Building (approx. 2.2 miles away); Bailey Building (approx. 2.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bluefield.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Andrew Davidson (was approx. 1.3 miles away but has been permanently removed).
Credits. This page was last revised on August 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 226 times since then and 85 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 12, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.
