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Mercer County

County Facts

Date of Formation: 1837
Named: in honor of Revolutionary War General Hugh Mercer
County Seat: Princeton

Sources

Books

Erastus M. Bowling. History of Glenwood Mercer County, West Virginia. Morgantown, West Virginia, Agricultural Extension Division, n.d.(On-line version)
Xwv 1. Agr 3. 2: G5.

Bowling, Virgie. History of Spanishburg Community, Mercer County, West Virginia. Morgantown, West Virginia, Agricultural Extension Division, 1927.(On-line version)
Xwv 1. Agr 3. 2: S58.

Brown, Mrs. R. L. A Brief History of Pisgah Community, Mercer County, West Virginia. Morgantown, West Virginia, Agricultural Extension Division, 1926.(On-line version)
Xwv 1. Agr 3. 2: B71.

Centennial and Souvenir Program of Mercer County... s.l., n.p., 1937.
975.433 C397 Pam.

Gore, Mrs. Will. History of Athens Community, Mercer County, West Virginia. Morgantown, West Virginia, Agricultural Extension Division, n.d.(On-line version)
Xwv 1. Agr 3. 2: G6.

Hedrick, Charles B. Official Blue Book of Mercer County, West Virginia. s.l., Mercer County Blue Book Association, 1931.
R 917.5474 H456.

Martin, George B. "The Bent Mountain Murder, Harry Taylor's Crime and Trial." Reprint by Princeton Observer, n.d.
975.474 M36b Pam.

McCormick, Kyle Cargill. The Story of Mercer County. Charleston, West Virginia, Charleston Printing Company, 1957.
975.474 M131s.

_____________________. A Brief History of Mercer County. Bluefield, West Virginia, n.p., 1962.
975.474 M131b.

McGehee, C. Stuart. Bluefield, West Virginia, 1889-1989: a Centennial History. Bluefield, West Virginia, C. Stuart McGehee, 1990.
975.474 M145b.

"Mercer County, West Virginia." West Virginia State Magazine, December-January 1949-1950.
Per.

Mercer County Historical Society. Mercer County History. Princeton, West Virginia, The Society, 1984.
975.474 M554.

_________________________. Mercer County: Sesquicentennial Year, 1987. Princeton, West Virginia, Princeton Times, 1996.
975.474 M554m.

Pennington, Sam R. Sam R. Pennington's Feature Stories Magazine. Bluefield, West Virginia, Sam Pennington, 1932-1935.
Per.

Rankin, John R. The Early History and Development of Bluefield, West Virginia. Radford, Virginia, Commonwealth, 1976.
975.474 R211.

Rosen, Anita. A Pictorial History of Mercer County: 1800's-1960's. Princeton, West Virginia, Princeton Times, 1996.
975.474 R813 V.2.

Sanders, William. Legacy of Homes and Families, Princeton-Athens Area, West Virginia. Marceline, Missouri, Walsworth Publishing Company, 1985.
975.474 S215.

______________. A New River Heritage. Parsons, West Virginia, McClain Printing Company, 1991.
975.474 S215 V. 1-4.

______________. Pioneer Church in Mercer County, West Virginia, 1840-1915. Parsons, West Virginia, McClain Printing Company, n.d.
386.1754 S215.

Smith, Shirley. Defend The Railroad: The Battle of Giles Court House and Pigeon Roost Ridge. s.l., n.p., n.d.
973.73 S659.

Williams, Robert. Misadventure in Princeton in 1852; Or An Englishman's Thrilling Experiences in Mercer County. Princeton, West Virginia, Princeton Observer, 190_.
B W7263.

Newspaper Clipping File

"160 Years County Celebrates Birthday," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 3-18-1997.
"A Garden for the King of Shrubs," Charleston Gazette, 4-17-1955.
"After 93 Years, Former Coal Miner Has Seen it All...," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 10-30- 1997.
"All Get Time to Vote," Clarksburg Exponent, n.d.
"An Old Friend Retires, Diner Car NW521407," Bramwell Aristocrat, 3-1995.
"Area First White Settlers Were Clay Family Members," Princeton Times, 5-29-1990.
"Athens, Town of Mayors," n.p. n.d.
"Athens, WV On Top of the Mountains," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 4-16-1989.
"Bailey Family Helped Shape Coalfield History," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 7-19-1999.
"Bicentennial Salute to Mercer County," WV Hillbilly, 3-6-1976.
"Big Rhododendron Garden to be WV Showplace," n.p.n.d.
"Bramwell, The Good Old Days Were Peak Days...," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 11-23- 1975.
"Bramwell Coal Meant Cash in Mercer," Charleston Daily Mail, 11-22-1979.
"Bramwell Name to National Historic Register," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 3-9-1983.
"Bramwell Aristocrat Centennial Edition," Summer 1998.
"Bramwell To Celebrate 105th Mill Creek Mine Anniversary," Welch Daily News, 11-2- 1989.
"Bramwell Mansion Sale," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 12-16-1990.
"Bramwell Tour Reflects Town's History," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 5-20-1990.
"Bramwell, A Real Good Example of Local Effort," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 4-8-1990.
"Bramwell's Million-Dollar Look," Norfolk Southern Focus, 3:2 1987.
"Burial Customs Changing," Sunset News Observer, 3-21-1957.
"C. A. Clyborne Robbery Case...He Was Guilty," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 1-22-1995.
"Casher's Hill: Rich in History," Princeton Times, 12-21-1971.
"Coalfield Trail, Bramwell," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 10-2-1994.
"Communist Movement Stopped In Mercer By Violent Means," Princeton Times, 5-29- 1984.
"Cooper's Heyday," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 8-5-1990.
"Coopers a 19th Century Suburb," Charleston Gazette, 2-12-1996.
"County Will Mark 120th Birthday..March 17," Princeton Observer, Sunset News, 3-14- 1957.
"County Named for Doctor," WV Hillbilly, 9-14-1989.
"County's 149th Birthday Today," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 3-17-1986.
"Courthouse Expansion Plan," Bramwell Aristocrat, 3-1995.
"Crystal Content With Memories," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 7-18-1976.
"Death Penalty, Attorney Helped Abolish Executions," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 1-19- 1998.
"Demolition Crew Finds Old Photos," Sunset News Observer, 6-27-1964.
"Dr Homer Luttrell, the Company Doctor," Bramwell Aristocrat, 8-1993.
"Dunns, Tiny Town Has Big Heart," Register Herald, 5-9-1990.
"Dunns Joining History," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 4-10-1990.
"Dunns Joining History," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 4-10-1990.
"Early History of Mercer County Told," Princeton Times, 7-29-1965.
"Early History of Abingdon," Princeton Times, 7-27-1967.
"Early Customs of Mercer County," Princeton Times, 7-28-1966.
"Elizabeth Branch, One Room School, Pictured," Princeton Times, 7-29-1965.
"English Writer Depicts Mercer Camp Meeting of 100 Years Ago," Princeton Observer, n.d.
"Era Ends With Closing of Last Poca Fuel Stores," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 5-15-1983.
"Family Part of History," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 4-16-1989.
"Famous Mercer County Families," Princeton Times, 8-28-1970.
"Farley to Bring History of Dunns Community," Princeton Times, 4-5-1990.
"Federal Hearing to Focus on New Historical Park," Guyandotte Voice, 9-5-1990.
"First Bank in 1851," Princeton Times, 7-29-1965.
"First Settler Built Log Home, Mill," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 6-8-1989.
"Fixing up History, Bramwell," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 4-8-1990.
"Former Workers Remember Town's Hy-Phen Corp," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 5-15- 1989.
"Gardner: County's Forgotten City," Princeton Times, 3-13-1975.
"Godfrey the Ghost Town," Princeton Times, 8-31-1967.
"Goodwill House," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 5-9-1996.
"Goodykoontz Collection To Be Given to Concord," Charleston Gazette, 9-30-n.d.
"Green Valley First Settled in 1850's," Princeton Times, 4-26-1967.
"Heritage House," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 7-7-1991.
"Historic Business Holds Fast in Athens," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 12-20-1987.
"History of Old Mercer School is Related," Beckley Post Herald, 8-16-1965.
"History Alive in Bramwell," Charleston Gazette, 6-30-1985.
"History to Play Important Role in Future," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 4-18-1990.
"Important Dates in Mercer County," Princeton Observer, n.d.
"In 1850 578 Residents Could Read," Princeton Times, 7-28-1966.
"Jordan Nelson's Coal Bank Story," Clinch Valley News, 2-11-1981.
"Keesling Gardens in Mercer County Attract Many Tourist," Charleston Gazette, 4-30- 1954.
"Lake Shawnee," Beckley Post Herald, 8-27-1979.
"Largest Rhododendron Garden... Bramwell," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 1-31-1954.
"Last Year's Mr. King Coal Preached and Still Worked in Coal Mine," n.p. n.d.
"Lerona," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 7-9-1989.
"Little Whittle, West Virginia," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 1-15-1990.
"Local Site Featured on Christmas Ornaments," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 11-6-1994.
"Lynch's Menswear to Close After 89 Years," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 2-9-1997.
"Many Curiosity Brings Many Out to Tour," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 11-20-1994.
"Matoaka: Town Rich in Memories," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 5-15-1989.
"Matoaka: Mines Gone But Ghost Town Dirty Word," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 11-16- 1975.
"McCormick Publishes Mercer History," Beckley Post Herald, 12-28-1957.
"Memorial Decoration, Old Hospital Christmas...," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 9-11-1994.
"Mercer Has Been Part of Nine Counties," Princeton Times, 7-28-1966.
"Mercer Co. Town Finds Fame, Fortune in CT," Charleston Gazette, 10-2-1991.
"Mercer County History: A Chronology," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 3-11-1984.
"Mercer Formed From Giles, Tazewell Counties in 1837," Princeton Times, 7-31-1963.
"Mercer County's Share of the Roaring 20's in Courthouse Vault," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, n.d.
"Mercer County the First 150 Years," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 8-31-1987.
"Mercer County History An Important Book," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 12-6-1983.
"Metal Detecting Discovery Earns Magazine's Kudos," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 2-16- 1997.
"Mineral Water Spa's Brief History Offers Insight...," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 3-3-1992.
"N&W YMCA Only A Memory for H.V. Ashley," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 8-15-1981.
"National Park Status Sought For Bramwell," Charleston Gazette, 1-31-1991.
"Oakvale Residents Tend to Business Community Pride," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 6-18- 1989.
"Official County Seal Is Adopted," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 7-29-1975.
"Old Pocahontas Bank to Close," Bramwell Aristocrat, January 1994.
"Papers Listed Excursions," Princeton Times, 7-28-1966.
"Paradox Eureka Hollow Filled Rich Resources...Poverty," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 1-4- 1987.
"Parkway Rich in Indian History Now Hidden," Princeton Times, 3-3-1989.
"Paying a Visit to Millionaire City," Charleston Gazette, 6-5-1991.
"Political Explosion Turns County to WV," Princeton Times, 8-28-1963.
"Post Office One of County's Oldest," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 2-12-1989.
"Pot o' Gold Still Buried Near Princeton," Beckley Post Herald, 1-28-1967.
"Powder Plant," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 4-29-1990.
"Renovation Under Way at Ada Purification Plant," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 6-13-1984.
"Rocket Man Bill Greever," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 1-11-1998.
"Rockwell International Employees Reunion," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 10-21-1995.
"Secession Movement Making Itself Heard Rest of State," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 5-8- 1984.
"Shumate: Celebrating 50 Years," Princeton Times, 4-12-1990.
"Something Special About Bramwell," Beckley Post Herald, 4-26-1982.
"Spanishburg Settlers," Princeton Times, 10-2-1975.
"Spanishburg, a Real Quiet Place to Live," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 2-12-1989.
"Speed Limit Set at 12 MPH in 1915," Princeton Times, 7-29-1965.
"State Spinning Wheel Contender for Mercer Being Sought," Charleston Daily Mail, 8-8- 1937.
"Stuart McGehee Archivist Looks Into History of Co." Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 7-13- 1986.
"Surviving Spinning Wheel Operators of the Nation," n.p. n.d.
"Take a Walk Through Bramwell's History," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 4-25-1996.
"Ten Thousand Rhododendrons, Keesling Garden," n.p. n.d.
"The Goodwill House," Welch Daily News, 6-6-1991.
"The War in Mercer County in 1862," Interstate Advertiser, 3-4-1899.
"The Early Days, Scrip, Name Fame," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 9-13-1987.
"The Legend of Rabbit Martin," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 1-22-1995.
"The Many Faces William Thurman Rabbit Martin Jr.," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 1-22- 1995.
"Throng Takes Last Train Trip," Roanoke Times, 4-5-1959.
"Tourist Train Proposed for Bramwell-Pocahontas," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 6-1-1990.
"Town Honors First Coal Mine Owner," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 11-5-1989.
"Tree-Mendous, Robert C. Byrd Center...," Register Herald, 2-9-1997.
"Tribute to a Tragedy," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 10-30-1977.
"Virginia is For Virginians," Charleston Daily Mail, 5-22-1984.
"Virginian Brick, Tile is One of Mercer's First Industries," Princeton Times, 7-29-1965.
"W. H. Compton A Lover of People," n.p. n.d.
"Wanted Gen. Mercer Back in the Courthouse," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 5-10-1984.
"What a Landing," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 7-6-1995.
"Wylie Cabin," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 7-25-1996.
"Young Authors," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 2-19-1998.

Mercer County Records on Microfilm

County History Resources

History Center

West Virginia Archives and History