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McDowell County was established on February 20,
1858. It became known as West Virginia's southern
most county. It was names for James McDowell,
who was Governor of Virginia from 1842 to 1844.
The County lies entirely within the Appalachian
Mountain Range.

Around the turn of 1900, the Northfork and Western
Railroad covered most of McDowell County, making
the task of mining much easier. Coal companies
brought immigrants from countries as far away as
Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Italy, Greece, Poland,
along with many African Americans from the
southern states, to work in the numerous mines that
were established along the N & W Railroad.

In the 1950's, McDowell County was one of the
leading producers of coal in the world. Population
was at its highest at close to 100,000 people.
McDowell County was at its peak.

In a few short years, however, the county's outlook
turned bleak. Mining, which had practically made
McDowell County, was now pulling out and leaving
many families wondering about their future. This
caused a drastic decline in population. Some
families who could not leave the only home they
had known, clung to their roots and found other
means to support themselves. Many families had to
lave their homes and start a new life elsewhere.

Today, McDowell County has a
population of about 25,000. Federal,
State, and Local officials combined
with hardworking, dedicated citizens
are rebuilding McDowell....

"Today the citizens of
McDowell honor their
heritage with great pride and
they are rebuilding McDowell
County for a bright future."

- Donald R. Reed Jr