NUTTALLBURG, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The town of Nuttallburg located in the New River Gorge was one of the many coal towns that sprung up in the Gorge once the C&O Railway was completed through the area. Entrepreneur John Nuttall, from England, arrived in the area in 1870 and was on the search for land that was rich in coal.
Nuttall began purchasing land along Keeney’s Creek and opened a mine up in what is known as Nuttallburg in 1873. Nuttallburg was the second mining town in the New River Gorge to ship out “smokeless” coal, the town of Quinnimont was the first.
The town prospered for years, and once John Nuttall passed away in 1897, his heirs took over operations.
In the 1920s, Henry Ford sought to purchase coal mines to provide fuel for his steel mills. Ford also wanted to control all aspects of production from mines, railroads, and mills which is referred to as vertical integration. Ford saw potential in the Nuttallburg operation, so he decided to purchase the mine and construct a more modern tipple for more efficient operation.
Henry Ford himself visited the town of Nuttallburg to inspect his new venture in West Virginia. He arrived in the town in his luxurious private rail car, the “Fair Lane.” He explored the town and spoke with residents and gave them advice on how to better the town and its facilities.
In 1928, it was evident that Ford could not control nor afford to buy the railroad or the multiple mines along the railway. As result, he sold all interests in Nuttallburg. The town continued for 30 more years until the mine ceased operations in 1958.
Today, Nuttallburg is part of the New River Gorge National Park & Preserve.