As the community of Mount Hope developed with the coal interests during the early 20th century, it emerged as one of the premier commercial and industrial centers of the New River coalfields, serving a steady customer base of both workers and . . . — — Map (db m179359) HM
Unlike nearby Kilsyth, most of the housing within Mount Hope was constructed without formal company planning. One Exception, however, was a cluster of 14 identical houses developed by the Mount Hope Coal Company on the outskirts of the community . . . — — Map (db m179365) HM
Secondary to only the mines themselves, the railroads were the most significant driver of development in the Dunloup Creek watershed at the outset of the 20th century. A fiercely competitive business, access to the railroad determined the success . . . — — Map (db m242619) HM
An African American high school
formed in 1917, it educated black
Fayette County children until 1956.
Students were taught in community
buildings and churches, 1950-1954,
after the school was destroyed by
fire. The second DuBois High . . . — — Map (db m140445) HM
In 1906 a levy was passed in Fayette County to establish the county's first high schools, one for white children and one for black children. The original school for African American children was constructed at Turkey Knob, but was later replaced . . . — — Map (db m242569) HM
A cadre of excellent teachers sharing and imparting values produced students with interests and community endeavors, fundraising, and contributions to projects throughout the world.
Leadership – Principals
see photo
. . . — — Map (db m161345) HM
Fayette County. Formed, 1831, from Nicholas, Greenbrier, Kanawha, Logan. Named for General Lafayette. On New River, 1671, Batts and Fallam officially claimed Mississippi Valley for Great Britain in opposition to the claim of France. . . . — — Map (db m228751) HM
Welcome to the Mount Hope Historic Walking Trail. Walk along the sidewalks of Mount Hope and take a step back in time as you make your way through the heart of downtown. Hear stories of how the New River Company not only shaped the town but the . . . — — Map (db m242620) HM
The New River Company was a leader in the safety-first movement which swept through the state's mining communities during the 1920s and 1930s. The company established first aid teams at each of its operations, and each year they competed in a . . . — — Map (db m242625) HM
With the birth of the Coal Industry, Mount Hope would play a very important role.
During Mount Hope's early history, settlers began removing coal from a seam on the side of a mountain. Commercial mining of coal had been in effect since the . . . — — Map (db m161343) HM
Native Americans used the area of Sugar. Dunloup, and Mill Creeks for hunting until Virginia's Governor purchased land south of the Kanawha River in 1770. Raids continued until General Anthony Waynes won a decisive victory in Ohio in 1794 securing . . . — — Map (db m161340) HM
Many structures built during the coal boom remain throughout the town of Mount Hope showing the business and industrial center that Mount Hope once was.
The stone bank building that survived the fire of 1910 and the New River Coal Company office . . . — — Map (db m161338) HM
By 1872 there were only three families, that of C.C. Brown, the Warner's and the McGinnis’ living in the area now known as Mount Hope. They built a one room wooden schoolhouse replacing the first school held in the Blake Ian kitchen and in a tenant . . . — — Map (db m161276) HM
The New River field is one of the smokeless coal producing regions of southern West Virginia. It takes its name from the New River that generally bisects the field from north to south. Coal that produced little smoke when burned was very desirable . . . — — Map (db m242623) HM
Located within the New River coalfield, Mt. Hope was an important service center for the oldest of southern West Virginia's three "smokeless" coalfields. Unlike the Pocahontas field, where town- building followed railroad and coal development, . . . — — Map (db m242624) HM
On the morning of July 23. 1966, an explosion tore through an area of the Mount Hope Siltix Mine that was being operated by the New River Company. The blast, caused by the ignition of built-up methane gas, killed seven men and wounded two others who . . . — — Map (db m228744) HM
The arrival of the coal industry in the 1890s dramatically transformed the landscape of the New River coalfield. Guided by managers of the newly-founded companies, company towns emerged almost overnight along the coal seam, introducing . . . — — Map (db m242618) HM
The turn of the 20th century brought the birth of two of the most important coal companies in the New River field: the McKell Coal & Coke Company and the New River Company. Thomas McKell's company was organized in 1893 to lease coal lands to . . . — — Map (db m242626) HM
As Mt. Hope emerged, there occurred one of the most important events in the state's history: the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad, routed through the New River Gorge, was completed in 1873. The C&O was the first railroad to enter southern West Virginia . . . — — Map (db m242622) HM
Occupying an area of land in a bend on the west side of the New River, much of what became the New River coalfields was once known simply as "the Loop" to early-19th century Virginians on the frontier. Bound by the river, the area was fed by two . . . — — Map (db m228745) HM
Located on the edge of Mount Hope, a mining operation was first established at Kilsyth in 1893 by the McKell Coal and Coke Company. Operating until the 1940s under the New River Coal Company, the mine's production peaked in 1911. The mine was . . . — — Map (db m228747) HM
Located in the New River basin and bisecting portions of Raleigh and Fayette counties, Dunloup Creek historically has been the subject of many efforts to establish crossings, whether for pedestrian, railroad, or automobile. Foot bridges, wooden . . . — — Map (db m228748) HM
In memory of our local loyal defenders who offered their lives in the cuase of world democracy, 1914–1918.
White Roy Arnold • Wm. M. Armentrout • Robert Archer •Edward Brock •Albert S. Bradley • Clarence Bailey • Lonard Boggess • Lake . . . — — Map (db m179276) WM