THURMOND, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Located in the heart of the New River Gorge sits a forgotten home that was once used in the filming of a popular movie.
Matewan, a 1987 American drama film directed by John Sayles, tells the story of a violent coal miners’ strike in the small town of Matewan, West Virginia, in 1920.
The film portrays the harsh realities faced by workers, particularly coal miners, who were exploited by coal companies and fought for better wages and working conditions.
The events culminated in the infamous Matewan Massacre.
The film is known for its accurate portrayal of early 20th-century coal mining towns and their struggles, with much of the movie shot on location in West Virginia.
Although the real Matewan was central to the story, the majority of the film was filmed in the nearby town of Thurmond, West Virginia, due to its preserved historic buildings and the authentic appearance of a coal town from that era.
Thurmond’s rich history as a once-thriving railroad town made it an ideal backdrop for the film, with its still-standing structures and scenic landscapes providing an authentic feel to the movie’s setting.
The large home tucked away at the end of town in Thurmond was used as the boarding house in the film.
The boarding house is the place where the main character, Joe Kenehan, stays while organizing miners in Matewan.
In the film, Elma Radnor, a coal miner’s widow, and her 15-year-old son, Danny, who is also a miner and a budding Baptist preacher run the boarding house.
The home, known as the “Fatty Lipscomb House,” still stands today in Thurmond.
