Bluefield’s Early Growth From Rail to Rival City Hubs
Records recount Bluefield’s rise in 19th and early 20th century from incorporation in 1890s to rapid development. The piece highlights the Baldwin-Felts agency history, courthouse clashes, aviation visits, newspapers, gas, banks, churches, schools, theaters, and key civic milestones shaping the Southern West Virginia town. It notes notable figures and institutions including Hugh Ike Shott, the Bluefield Daily Telegraph, St. Luke’s Hospital, the Fairgrounds, and the West Virginian Hotel.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Hugh Ike Shott
West Virginia
Southwest Virginia
Henry Rodgin
J. I. Rodgin
Bluefield
J. Franke Fox
St. Lukes Hospital
Charles M. Scott
Raleigh
Federal
St. Lukes
Scott
E. W. Lomax
Bland Street
Scott Street
Union Mission
W. H. Cunningham
Bluefield Normal and Business Institute
American Legion Post
Spiller Hicks
T. Courtney Tanner
Tanner
Ike Slifkin
Legion
First Presbyterian Church
J. C. Higginbotham
Rotary
R. B. Parrish
West Virginian
Federal Street
Charleston
Bailey Lumber Company
E. L. Bailey
Princeton
C. P. Claytor
Highland and
Chestnut
Wm. N. Doak
Hoover
Street Railway Lines
Walter Graham
B. K. W. Wright Jr
Bluefield’s Fine Colleges Highlighted in City History
Bluefield boasts two accredited institutions Bluefield State College a four year degree grantor and Bluefield College a Baptist two year college. Enrollment figures show about 1 400 at BSC and around 400 at Bluefield College. The piece traces leadership presidents and name changes dating from 1895 to 1946.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
E. E. Winters
Summers Street
J. B. Greever
Reilly
Bland Street
Christian Church
J. N. Harmon
Episcopal Church
William L. Davis
Trinity Methodist
J. M. Carter
Grace Methodist
West End
E. S. Bettis
College Avenue Baptist
W. E. Abrams
Westminster Presbyterian
Warner DuBose
First Baptist
M. A. Wilson
Brock
Calvary Baptist
Allen Street
R. E. Holder
Henry Rodgin
Daily Telegraph
Samuel Turk
Samuel Matz
Sol Greenspon
Morris Rosenberg
S. Aaron
Jacob Baker
B. M. Cohen
Saul Turk
L. Kaufman
Pocahontas
Princeton Avenue
Scott Street
Father John McBride
Wythe County
Bluefield Inn
McBride
Emile Olivier
Bluefield
Bluefield State College
Bluefield College
BSC
Wendell Hardway
Bluefield State
Charles Harman
Bluefield Colored Institute
A. J. Lubliner
Bluefield State Teachers College
Broughton Johnston
Princeton
Baptist General Association of Virginia
Virginia
Virginia Baptists
Bristol
Landsell
R. A. Landsell
J. Taylor Stinson
Oscar E. Sams
Stinson
Edwin C. Wade
MaHood
Hamilton
Bluefield A Growing City With Parks Police and Schools
Bluefield features Mitchell Stadium and Bowen Field in a large park complex. Chief Andrew Dodson, the first Black chief in the Virginias, discusses public relations and recruiting. The city lists numerous businesses, social agencies, hotels, schools, transit, and travel distances to major cities in this overview.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bluefield
Mitchell Stadium
Harry Bowen
Emory P. Mitchell
Appalachian Power Company
Bluefield Gas Company
West Virginia Water Company
General Telephone
Virginias
Andrew Dodson
Dodson
Also Mentioned on This Page
Laurence E. Tierney Jr
Mt. View
Fred Gilbert
Oakdell
J. E. Blaydes Sr
Edge
Groveland
House of Delegates
Senate
Sidney Allen
Hillsville
Judge Massie
Kentucky
Colorado
Baldwin - Felts Agency
Matewan
Mingo County
Thomas Felts
Albert C. Felts
Lee C. Felts
J W. Ferguson
Norfolk and Western Station
Charles J. Crockett
Chapman
Fox
H. C. Wright
People’s Bank of
Ash M. Prince
Princeton Ave
First National Bank of
Bland
Russell Streets
Flat Top Bank
Col. L. E. Tierney
Lawrence Jr
Commercial Bank
Bernard McClaugherty
Jack
Bluefield National
D. E. French
Flat Top
Bluefield Trust
American National
Fidelity Bank and Trust
The
Union Bank
Washington Street
Antioch Church
H. B. Bailey
Dad’’ Austin
Immanuel Lutheran
Baptists
Donahue
Mercer Street
Sacred Heart of Jesus
Olivier
Wilbur Burke
Sacred Heart School
George J. Burke
Huntington
Ments
American Legion
Chamber of Commerce
Masonic Lodge
Samuel A. Worley
John Haldren
Moose Lodge
Jess H. Franklin
Hale's Field
N&w
Bluefield Telephone Company
David E. Johnston
B. Prince
W. P. Hawley
W. A. Pankey
Lizzie Abes
WHIS
Shott
Florence
S. C
Hattie A. Hannah
Higginbotham
Easley Insurance
E. H. Easley
Bluefield Collegiate Institute
Georgette Clark
R. E. Drinkard
E. S. Pedigo
Edward Thornton
Beaver
Howell M. Tanner
Mercer
M. B. Postlethwaite
Benjamin F. Kel
Odd Fellows
Rudolpf Schwank
Knights Templar
Billy Monroe
Salvation Army
Albert Tieritt
Blanche Shirey
W. O. Tracy
Bluefield Board of Directors
John Wilkinson
Lewis Cook
Clyde Stephens
Henry Webb
Fred Simon
Three Names
William MaHood
Hatter
BCI
Joseph C. Brady
Wheeling
George M. Bowers
Martinsburg
William M. MaHood
John S. Marcum
Virgil A. Lewis
Storer College
Harper's Ferry
Mary Booze
Richmond
Bluefield Supply
City Provision
Consolidated Brokerage
Dixie Appliance
Drug and
E. I. Dupont Nemours
Elliott Brokerage
Fairmont Supply
General Brokerage
General Tire Service
Kennamental
McQuails
Mercer Wholesale
Meyers Electronics
Mine
Safety
National Parts
Paper Supply
Peery and Company
Pure Oil
Reid Belt and Rubber
Rish Equipment
Sarver
Skyland Hospital Supply
Southern Gas and Oil
Superior Sterling
Surface Banana
Tom's Toast
American Association of University Women
Bluefield Auto Club
Bluefield Civic League
Civitan
Garden Council
Jaycees
Junior Woman's Club
Kiwanis
Lions
Ministerial Association
National
Quota
University Club
Woman’s Club
M. T. Meachum
Red Langenheim
Chamber
Uncle Tom
Park Central
Central
Fairview
Lambert Arrington
Stanley Martin
Kenneth Muncy
Matz
Atlanta
W. Va
Washington
Cincinnati
Winston Salem
N. C
Alvin Tyree
Dan Wells
Maxine Holmes
Howard Leist