PRINCE, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The historic Prince Brothers General Store is one of thirty-five structures slated for demolition in New River Gorge National Park & Preserve.
This initiative forms part of a broader project financed by the Great American Outdoors Act Legacy Restoration Fund, aimed at restoring historic structures, investing in park infrastructure, addressing deferred maintenance needs, and reducing operational costs.
The removal of these structures aims to alleviate deferred maintenance needs, eliminate excess yearly maintenance and law enforcement costs, and enable the NPS to allocate resources more efficiently toward maintaining facilities that park visitors can enjoy, according to the National Park Service (NPS).
One of the structures slated for demolition played an important role in the southern coalfields of West Virginia.
Established in 1872, the Prince Brothers General Store, colloquially known as the Prince Store, has been an enduring cornerstone of the New River Gorge community.
Situated strategically in a “nearly perfect location,” the Prince Store catered to the needs of nearby residents, standing out as one of the few independent stores in the region during its inception.
The store’s proximity to several coal towns and its adjacency to the Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Railway main line marked it as an essential hub for commerce, providing a swift and efficient supply of goods.
During an era dominated by coal operators and their company stores, the Prince Store emerged as a beacon of choice for miners and their families.
Unlike the limited options and high prices imposed by company stores, the Prince Store offered a diverse range of goods at competitive prices.
Families from Raleigh, Wyoming, Mercer, and Logan counties flocked to the store for quality food, clothes, furniture, and various necessities, according to the National Park Service.
The store’s reputation for an extensive selection and prompt delivery attracted business even from company stores that ordered goods from Prince.
The opening of the railroad bridge in 1901 further fueled the Prince Store’s success, transforming it into a bustling center for shoppers from all over the region.
Beyond being a retail hub, the Prince Store played a pivotal role in the community. The local post office, operational for over a century, was housed within the store.
Even when Camp Prince prompted the post office to relocate temporarily, it eventually returned to its original location within the store.
Operated by the Prince family until 1937, the store’s geographical advantage allowed it to outlast many coal company stores.
In 1944, Herman Monk, a local resident, took ownership and continued the store’s legacy, earning it the moniker “Monk’s Store.”
With Monk at the helm, the store thrived into the early 1950s, offering local delivery services to distant areas like Backus Mountain.
Transitioning through different operators, the store saw its final chapter under the management of Edna Mae Berry, who operated it until 1975.
In 1984, after over a century of service, the Prince Store closed its doors for the last time.
A public meeting has been scheduled regarding the proposed demolition of 35 “deteriorating and excess structures” within the park.
The meeting will be held on Thursday, January 11, 2024, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., at the Bank of Glen Jean located at 23 County Route 25/9 in Glen Jean.
During the meeting, the NPS will present comprehensive information regarding the proposal to demolish the structures, 21 of which hold historical significance and are either listed or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
For those unable to attend the meeting, public materials and additional information will be accessible until January 15, 2024, on the NPS planning website.
