Bluefield in Mercer County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Bluefield State College

Photographed by J. J. Prats, October 16, 2015

1. Bluefield State College Marker

Inscription. Established, 1895, by WV Legislature as Bluefield Colored Institute; 1929 became Bluefield State Teachers College. Renamed in 1943, Bluefield State College has continued providing quality higher education for all citizens of the area.

Erected 1995 by West Virginia, Archives and History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. In addition, it is included in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and the West Virginia Archives and History series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1943.

Location. 37° 16.038′ N, 81° 14.207′ W. Marker is in Bluefield, West Virginia, in Mercer County. It is on Holbrook Sreet west of Rock Street, on the left when traveling west. It is in front of Conley Hall. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bluefield WV 24701, 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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Bluefield State Teacher’s College (a few steps from this marker); Elizabeth Kee (approx. 0.8 miles away); Bluefield (approx. 0.8 miles away); Tazewell County Va./West Virginia (approx. 1.4 miles away

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in Virginia); West Virginia (Mercer County) / Mercer County (approx. 1.7 miles away); A Tunnel Runs Through It (approx. 3 miles away); Welcome to West Virginia (approx. 3 miles away); World's Smallest Railroad (approx. 3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bluefield.

Other markers no longer nearby. Bluefield College (was approx. 1.7 miles away in Virginia but has been confirmed missing); Andrew Davidson (was approx. 1.9 miles away but has been permanently removed).

Also see . . . Wikipedia Entry. “A 1929 survey of the 702 alumni of Bluefield State demonstrated the college’s wide-ranging influence. There were no fewer than 326 school teachers, among dozens of administrators, physicians, pharmacists, ministers, businessmen and homemakers. The name ‘Bluefield State College’ was adopted in 1943. After a half-century of inadequate salaries, extreme sacrifice, and passionate dedication, Bluefield State was finally awarded full academic accreditation in 1947, rewarding the institution’s measured

Photographed by J. J. Prats, October 16, 2015

2. Bluefield State College Marker

progress. By September 1954, the state-supported colleges in West Virginia were integrated. Three white students (James Ernest Watkins, Joseph Tice and Douglas Ralph Whittaker) in a total body of 354 enrolled at Bluefield State.” (Submitted on November 11, 2015.)

Conley Hall, Bluefield State College image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, October 16, 2015

3. Conley Hall, Bluefield State College

View is from the marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 11, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 786 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 11, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.