The town is well equipped with store and shops, and for its population, of unusual size and attractiveness. In them can be found all that humanity could desire in the way of merchandise." — T. Nutter, Thomas, WV: History, . . . — — Map (db m153087) HM
On Appalachian Highway (West Virginia Route 32) at 3rd Street, on the left when traveling north on Appalachian Highway.
The Thomas National Register Historic District is considered significant under Criterion A for its association with the settlement and development of Thomas and of Tucker County.
Though remote, the area has been of interest to explorers . . . — — Map (db m153055) HM
The People of Thomas
The history books of Thomas are full of fascinating stories of the people who built these buildings and lived their lives here. Hundreds of people from around the world came to Thomas to seek their fortunes, . . . — — Map (db m153066) HM
On Appalachian Highway (West Virginia Route 32) north of 3rd Street, in the median.
Thomas's National Register Significance
The Thomas Commercial Historic District was listed as a National Register Historic District in 1997. In order to qualify for the National Register of Historic Place, a property must be at least 50 . . . — — Map (db m153057) HM
On Douglas Road / Front Street (County Route 27) 0.5 miles south of Appalachian Highway (West Virginia Route 32), on the left when traveling south.
Segregated school located along the North Fork of the Blackwater that served Coketon, center of coal and coke empire of H. G. Davis. In 1892 teacher Carrie Williams, represented by J. R. Clifford, state’s first African Amerian lawyer, sued when . . . — — Map (db m82119) HM
On Appalachian Highway (West Virginia Route 32), on the right when traveling south.
The Railroad
The West Virginia Central and Pittsburg (WVC&P) (Former Railyard, Tour No. 36) was founded by Henry Gassaway Davis, one of the most important figures in West Virginia history.
Davis began his career as a . . . — — Map (db m153060) HM
Residential Architecture in Thomas
Modern society places value on home ownership, especially a house with land. However, families that moved from Europe or large cities such as New York in the early 20th century were not necessarily . . . — — Map (db m153071) HM
On Douglas Road (County Road 27) at Dobbins Road (County Road 27/5), on the left when traveling west on Douglas Road.
Underground coal mining is dangerous and labor-intensive. Mine tunnels required careful engineering, and the Davis Coal and Coke Company built this Engineering Building to enable planning for efficient operations and good record-keeping. A . . . — — Map (db m153052) HM
On Blackwater Canyon Trail, on the right when traveling north.
Exploring the Coketon Industrial Site
More than 100 years ago, massive steam engines pulling tons of coal-filled cars roared along this busy railroad route. The trains connected the rich coal mines of West Virginia to hungry steel mills in . . . — — Map (db m153095) HM
On Seneca Trail (U.S. 219) 0.2 miles south of Kempton Road (West Virginia Route 9), on the right when traveling north.
The Fairfax Stone (½ Mi. E.) marking the Potomac's headwaters, was a corner of Lord Fairfax's vast estate. The line of 1736 was checked in 1746 by a survey on which Peter Jefferson, father of Thomas Jefferson, was engaged. — — Map (db m3945) HM
On Fairfax Road (West Virginia Route 9) at Seneca Trail (U.S. 219), on the right when traveling west on Fairfax Road.
This monument, at the headspring of the Potomac River, marks one of the historic spots of America. Its name is derived from Thomas Lord Fairfax who owned all the land lying between the Potomac and Rappahannock rivers. The first Fairfax Stone, marked . . . — — Map (db m3946) HM
On W. Kempton Road (County Route 9) at Seneca Trail (U.S. 219), on the right when traveling north on W. Kempton Road.
The Fairfax Stone (˝ Mi. E.) marking the Potomac's headwaters, was a corner of Lord Fairfax's vast estate. The line of 1736 was checked in 1746 by a survey on which Peter Jefferson, father of Thomas Jefferson, was engaged. — — Map (db m234616) HM
On Blackwater Canyon Trail, on the right when traveling north.
Historic Thomas and the Coketon Industrial Complex
Past and Present Co-Exist Easily
Recognized today as the gateway to the historical and recreational resources of the Blackwater River region, Thomas offers a unique glimpse into the . . . — — Map (db m153098) HM
On Appalachian Highway (West Virginia Route 32), in the median.
Social Life and Entertainment
Thomas residents enjoyed a variety of entertainment and social activities.
The town had many musicians, including Patsy Sangangelo, a gifted trumpet player and owner of a shoe repair shop (Tour No. 40). . . . — — Map (db m153063) HM
On Appalachian Highway (West Virginia Route 32) south of U.S. 219, on the right when traveling south.
To the southwest is Blackwater Falls, 63 feet high, and its rugged gorge. It drains lovely Canaan Valley, which may be seen from the mountain top, 3700 feet high. It was made famous in “Blackwater Chronicles” by “Porte . . . — — Map (db m74823) HM
On Douglas Road (County Road 27) at Dobbin Road (County Road 27/5) on Douglas Road.
A company store provided an industrial community with the necessities of life—as well as a means for a company to control its workforce. Lured by the lucrative prospect of mining coal for steelmaking, Henry Gassaway Davis and other . . . — — Map (db m153053) HM
On Appalachian Highway (West Virginia Route 32), on the right when traveling south.
Immigration and Ethnic Diversity
After the railroad and coal industries began operation, Thomas made a rapid transformation from isolated mountain town to small cosmopolitan city. The Davis Coal and Coke Company recruited workers from . . . — — Map (db m153062) HM
On Blackwater Canyon Trail, on the right when traveling north.
The Story of a River
Welcome to the Thomas Interpretive Area. During the 19th century this area was renowned as a remote, forlorn wilderness, but the discovery of coal in the region and the advent of the Industrial Age, became a center of . . . — — Map (db m153092) HM
On Appalachian Highway (West Virginia Route 32), in the median.
Coal and Its Impact on Thomas
The history of the coal industry is inextricable from the development of the Thomas Commercial Historic District. If the Davis brothers had not invested in coal mining and transportation in the area, the town . . . — — Map (db m153089) HM
On Appalachian Highway (West Virginia Route 32), in the median.
The Thomas-Davis Lions Club proudly dedicates this memorial plaque to the memory of these miners who lost their lives in Thomas, West Virginia mine disasters.
Mine No. 25
February 4, 1907
Allen, Oscar • Arcani, Joe • Benuemento, . . . — — Map (db m153083) HM
On Appalachian Highway (West Virginia Route 32), in the median.
Every city grows and evolves over the years. Compared the various photos with what you see in Thomas today to see what is different and what has stayed the same.
The Imperial Hotel, formerly located between the Schilansky . . . — — Map (db m153084) HM
