Bluefield’s Rise From Settlement to Dual City Heritage
Bluefield grew from early settlements led by John Davidson and Richard Bailey to a railroad town named for its blue wildflowers. The 1889 incorporation followed a rich history of 18th and 19th century families, a booming early population, and rapid civic development including a two town merger with Graham Virginia in 1924.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bluefield
John Davidson
Richard Bailey
Davidson - Bailey
Summit
Bluefields
Graham
Old Fairgrounds
Lee Trinkle
Virginia
Ephraim F. Morgan
West Virginia
Emma B. Smith
Lorenzo Wingo Yost
W. E. Abrams
College Avenue
H. G. White
W. L. Thomas
J. M. Honaker
Mercer
C. C. Jennings
George A. Shirey
T. B. Drinkard
Joseph M. Sanders
W. W. McClaugherty
Circuit Court
Bluefield’s God-Given Assets Lift City Budget Growth
Bluefield rises from its southern frontier with scenic beauty and a mild climate, earning the All American City honor in 1964. The city reports a million-dollar budget, 168 million valuation, and plans including urban renewal, water reserves up to 500 million gallons, a modern library, widened Princeton Avenue, and centralized corporate finances to cut duplication. City Manager Howard Leist notes progress on housing, infrastructure, and a three-phase lighting plan, with 121 city employees and expanding services in police, fire, and public works.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
E. E. Carter
Bluefield
Carter
U. S. Congress
Board of Supervisors
National Municipal League
Look Magazine
U. S&s
Hazelton
Modena
San Francisco
A. A. Modena
Switzerland
Clyde Stephens
Lewis Cook
Fred Simon
John Wilkinson
Henry Webb
Judson Lambert
Stephens
Howard Leist
Alvin L. Tyree
Maxine Holmes
W. H. Looney
Dan Wells
Andrew Dodson
Lee Puckett
Brooke Robinson
Joe Ellis
Leist
Princeton Avenue
Edison Hollow
Parking Commission
Sanitary Commission
Auditorium Commission
Richard
Buzzy) Wilkinson
Pete Ferretti
Old Council Tough on Foes of the Demon Rum
A 1897 council meeting in Bluefield shows wets and drys clashing over whisky licenses. A preacher led a fiery anti drink address and prayer session, after which the council issued saloon licenses and barred improvised prayer meetings and sensational remarks at meetings.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bluefield
Ciry
Also Mentioned on This Page
Bluefield Daily Telegraph
Melvin Grubb
Bluefield Incorporated
Andrew Davidson
Davidson
East River Mountain
Joseph Davidson
Pulaski Avenue
City Park
Mitchell Stadium
Isham Belcher
Franklin County
Baileys
Bedford County
Davidsons
Augusta County
Denver
Norfolk and Western
Atlantic, Mississippi and Ohio Railway
N&w
New River Railway
Glen Lyn
East River
Higginbotham
Laurel Creek
Pocahontas
Higginbotham Place
Hattie Hannah
J. C. Higginbotham
The
Railway
Sanders
Crockett
Granada Theatre
Ramsey and
Bland Streets
Sudduth and
Tyler
Ash M. Prince
Clarence Ridley
W. T. Watkins
C. W. Akers
Board of Trade
William A. Cather
Chamber of Commerce
J. W. Ruff
Bluefield Hardware
C of C
City Health Director
S. Frazier Stowers
Fourman Board of Affairs
Board of
F. M. Peters
Peters
Manager Council
Henry A. Lilly
C. I. Cheyney
E. L. Bailey
J. B. Kirk
G. W. Troutman
Bailey
Clarence E. Ridley
Flint
Mich
C. C. Stahlman
H. C. Jordan
Russell S. Ritz
W. C. Bailey
W. H. Thomas
Ridley
Eyefield Daily Telegraph
International Association of City Managers
Boyd Bennett
S. W. Lewis
Elmer C. Barton
Bennett
Traction Company
Cumberland Heights
Jennie George
Russell Street
McCulloch Ave
Nue
A. B. Caffee
D. M. Neal
J. H. Flummer
D. S. Ratcliffe
Beaver Pond
Ramsey Street
Nannie George
Jennie
Florence Caffee
Lula Kitts
W. J. Shorter
Real Graded School
N. B. Studebaker
J. J. Medley
C. A. Fulwider
George M. Ford
A. A. Hopkins
Nan McCutcheon
Mary Aaron
Standard
Beaver
Hearn
Bland Street
Steckler
Beaver High
Howell M. Tanner
Moffett McCue
Alonzo McCue
Gooch Tickle
Frank McCulloch
Willie Hearn
Eula Bruce
Kate Tickle
Olive Johnson
Meta Jordan
Thomas Street
H. E. Cooper
Beaver High School
C. W. Cornett
Charles H. Hartley
Ben H. Williams
C. W. Jackson
Thomas Egbert
Fred Coffindaffer
Egbert
Coffindaffer
Mac Bowles
Lambert Arrington
Bowles
Cumberland Road
Lee Fretwell
Mary Ruth Bartlett
Fretwell
George Erps
Kenneth Muncy
Muncy
Jack White
Jackson
North Central Association
Baldwin Fells
Baldwin - Felts Detective Agency
W. G. Baldwin
Thomas L. Felts
Felts
Virginia Gener
Ter
City
Bland Road
Oakhurst Avenue
Bluefield Avenue
City of
Ray Barnett
Mayor Stephens
Goodman Jones
Police
Edwin Elliott
James E. McCormick
Library Board
Peter Ferretti
N. J. Dickerson
Mercer Health Board
J. J. MaHood
Roy Browder
Conrad Brevick
Sanitary
A. A
Bluefield City Park
City Auditorium
Bowen Field
Old Council
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