This article was sent to me by a cousin in Charlottesvile. I thought some of the readers of this list would find this article interesting in light of our discussion over the past few days about the "two Bluefields." -----Robert Perry, Bluefield, WV. From: The Daily Progress, Charlottesville, VA, Friday October 24, 2003---- “Cities in VA, WV divided by economy”----from the ASSOCIATED PRESS BLUEFIELD, WVa. It seems like a cruel joke designed to exasperate tourists: Two identically named cities in adjacent states are separated only by a border routed through a shared city park.. But there’s another unique twist here: Unlike Bristol in Tennessee and Virginia, Texarkana in Arkansas and Texas, or the Kansas cities of Kansas and Missouri, the states’ names are confusingly similar, too. Welcome to Bluefield, WVa. Or is it Bluefield, Va.? “People don’t know if they’re in West Virginia or Virginia,” said historian Eva McGuire of Bluefield, WVa. It wasn’t always this way. Originally named Graham, the Virginia city switched its name nearly 80 years ago, marking the event with a wedding to symbolize the marriage of the interstate communities. The cities share the Bluefield name, but they have separate governments, infra structures and identities. Still, some Virginia residents want their old name and their sense of individuality back. “Some people think they should have a divorce and go back to the old name,” said Stuart McGehee, chairman of West Virginia State College’s history department. Incorporated in 1883 as a market town, Graham adopted Bluefield’ s name in 1924 to capitalize on the West Virginia city’s acclaim as a coal town, historians say. Bluefield was the nerve center of the then-booming southern West Virginia coalfields. “Bluefield grew spectacularly,” McGehee said. “It forced Graham to acknowledge that the town was growing. Bluefield looked like it was going to be the next New York City.” As trains carrying bituminous coal from the Pocahontas No. 3 seam regularly rumbled through the valley, Bluefield threatened to gobble up several towns and possibly expand across Virginia’s border. Afraid their town would be annexed, Graham residents voted 291-227 to switch the name to Bluefield, Va. What eventually became the Greater Bluefield Chamber of Commerce took the lead in commemorating the switch. The chamber proclaimed the marriage of the Bluefield’s on July 12, 1924, “Greater Bluefield Day” and marked the event with the wedding of a man from Virginia and a woman from West Virginia near the state line at Bluefield City Park. When Lorenzo Wingo Yost of Graham wed Emma Smith of Bluefield, Graham shed its maiden name and took Bluefield’s. Unique geography is responsible for several quirks in the Bluefield’s. The state line passes through the infield at Bowen Field, home of the Baltimore Orioles’ rookie league team, “where if you were on second and stole third, you could tech economically be cited for interstate theft,” Bluefield State College spokesman Jim Nelson said. Employees at the two colleges in the area routinely for ward misdialed phone calls between the unrelated campuses, Nelson said. Bluefield College, a private, Baptist school in Virginia, is 3 miles across the border from Bluefield State. The cities’ police departments work together to assist lost outsiders, said Bluefield, Va., Police Chief Jack Asbury. Asbury appreciates the con fusion that accompanies the towns’ shared name because it’s a conversation starter. “I’m aware that there are two Bluefield’s, and I get to tell them about our side of the line, too,” Asbury said. While the names are the same, the cities differ. Bluefield, WVa., is larger but generally poorer than Bluefield, Va., U.S. Census Bureau statistics show. With a population of 11,451, the West Virginia city is more than twice the size of its Virginia counterpart (pop. 5,078). But annual per capita income in Bluefield, W.Va., is $4,000 less than it is in Bluefield, Va., which has an average of $21,755. The median family income in the Virginia city is $44,000, compared with $36,508 in Bluefield, WVa. And 13 percent of families in Bluefield, W.Va., live below federal poverty standards, compared with 3.9 percent in the Virginia town. With a population of 11,451, the West Virginia city is more than twice the size of its Virginia counterpart (pop. 5,078). But annual per capita income in Bluefield, W.Va., is $4,000 less than it is in Bluefield, Va., which has an average of 21,755. The median family income in the Virginia city is $44,000, compared with $36,508 in Bluefield, WVa. And 13 percent of families in Bluefield, W.Va., live below federal poverty standards, compared with 3.9 percent in the Virginia town.

Are these books available for sale with out being at the meeting? If so, can you provide an address and how payment can be made. I live in Michigan, but all of my family came from Southwest Virginia. Esther

Russell Co. Genealogy Group will hold its regular meeting on Thursday, Nov. 6th, 5:30 PM at the Russell County Public Library. Their guests will be Bill & Toy Sutherland. Together they have compiled the Supplement Volume II to the popular John Counts of Glade Hollow that was researched and collected by Elihu Jasper Sutherland and compiled and supplemented by Hetty Swindall Sutherland, Bill’s parents. It has proven to be an invaluable source of information on families of Southwest VA. Both volumes as well as other books by them will be available. Everyone is invited to attend.

I don't think a "sign by the road" was the "indication" Mr Perry was referring too. Naturally there would be a sign at any state line. Without the sign, there would be no indication of passing from Bluefield VA into WV. Same way with Bristol VA/TN. The state line is the center of State Street. Those of us who visit the Bluefields frequently don't think of it as "two" towns. It is just "Bluefield." Peggy ----- Original Message ----- From: "Larry and Patty Bane" <banefamily@citlink.net> To: <VATAZEWE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2003 6:57 PM Subject: Re: [VA-TAZEWELL] Bluefield WV and VA > Yes there is indication as you pass into Bluefield, Virginia from Bluefield, West Virginia in two places. One is on College Avenue by Bluefield College. There is a "Welcome to Virginia" sign on the right. And the other is on Bluefield Avenue where it meets Virginia Avenue. At the state line there is again a "Welcome to Virginia" sign on the right. > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Robert L. Perry III" <robertperry@citlink.net> > To: <VATAZEWE-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2003 4:26 PM > Subject: Re: [VA-TAZEWELL] Bluefield WV and VA > > > > Regarding the comments about the two Bluefields, the statement bellow is > > both correct and > > incorrect. The two towns do indeed have separate town governments and > > different county > > seats, and as such are two separate and distinct cities. However, the city > > of limits of > > the two towns do join, and today as one drives across town, a visitor > > sees no indication of passing from one town to another. The > > regionalistic rivalry and competitiveness that has been important to some > > through the years (Tazewell vs Graham vs Blfd, WV, vs Princeton vs Athens, > > etc) has been largely responsible for today's significant loss of economic > > prosperity for each town and community in this area. While this attitude is > > wholesome for our schools on the ball field, our communities have conducted > > their economies as small individual entities, and this has been devastating. > > There > > is a population of 150,000 within a 20 mile radius of Bluefield. Our area > > will prosper > > again only when we can join and act as a whole. A new Heart Center is > > finally a reality > > because Bluefield and Princeton finally partnered together. Approval for > > the center > > was about to be lost to be lost entirely, because each town wanted it, to > > the exclusion > > of the other. My roots go back to the pioneer families of both counties ( by > > today's maps), > > and I have forbears who have been leaders in each of the towns. Each town > > has its own > > rich history, and each is a wonderful place to live. And none of that should > > ever be forgotten. > > But we must act as a single voice, or there will be no businesses left, and > > none of our > > descendants will be able to continue living in the area. So many have > > already left. > > > > Robert Perry > > Bluefield > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "Lisa/John Ward" <jldj@bellsouth.net> > > To: <VATAZEWE-L@rootsweb.com> > > Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2003 9:44 PM > > Subject: [VA-TAZEWELL] Bluefield WV and VA > > > > > > > Bluefield, Mercer Co., WV and Bluefield, Tazewell Co., VA > > > ARE TWO SEPARATE AND DISTINCT CITIES, COMPLETE WITH THEIR OWN COUNTY > > SEATS! > > > > > > Mercer Co., WV seat is Princeton and Tazewell Co., VA is Tazewell. > > > > > > I know this to be a fact because all of my family lines are in Mercer Co., > > > WV born and died while the paternal line is in Tazewell Co. I was born in > > > Bluefield, MERCER co., WV and parents raised in Bluefield, TAZEWELL Co., > > > VA!! > > > > > > Yes, there was a time when Bluefield, VIRGINIA was known as Graham, West > > > Graham, etc., just as Bluefield, WEST VIRGINIA was known as Beaver Pond. > > > > > > However, in reference to the post regarding Bluefield as being partially > > in > > > WV and partially in VA, it indicates that Bluefield is one city. THIS IS > > NOT > > > THE CASE. These are 2 distinct and different cities, side by side, one > > city > > > on one side of the border, and one on the other. > > > > > > It is true that when WV gained statehood, what was considered Mercer > > County, > > > VA became Mercer Co., WV, and Mercer was originally spawned from Giles and > > > Tazewell Counties in 1837. But to say that Bluefield actually lies across > > 2 > > > state borders is not factual. > > > > > > The two towns are so close in geography, as well as sharing the same name. > > > This can be confusing. See VA GENWEB and WVGENWEB Counties and cities > > > listings for example. > > > > > > Lisa Murphey Ward > > > > > > > > > ==== VATAZEWE Mailing List ==== > > > TAZEWELL LIST ADMINISTRATOR > > > VATazewe-Admin@Rootsweb.com > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ==== VATAZEWE Mailing List ==== > > Take an extra moment to delete unnecessary > > material from a reply you give to someone. > > It looks more professional, and looks like > > you've taken the time to send your best. > > > > > > > > > ==== VATAZEWE Mailing List ==== > TAZEWELL LIST ADMINISTRATOR > VATazewe-Admin@RootsWeb.com > <=<commander@inetone.net>=> >

Do any of you researchers out there know if and where that I can find any information on accidents while working on the railroads. I don't even know the name of the station on which my grandfather worked. Thank you very much Larry of Md

Yes there is indication as you pass into Bluefield, Virginia from Bluefield, West Virginia in two places. One is on College Avenue by Bluefield College. There is a "Welcome to Virginia" sign on the right. And the other is on Bluefield Avenue where it meets Virginia Avenue. At the state line there is again a "Welcome to Virginia" sign on the right. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Robert L. Perry III" <robertperry@citlink.net> To: <VATAZEWE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2003 4:26 PM Subject: Re: [VA-TAZEWELL] Bluefield WV and VA > Regarding the comments about the two Bluefields, the statement bellow is > both correct and > incorrect. The two towns do indeed have separate town governments and > different county > seats, and as such are two separate and distinct cities. However, the city > of limits of > the two towns do join, and today as one drives across town, a visitor > sees no indication of passing from one town to another. The > regionalistic rivalry and competitiveness that has been important to some > through the years (Tazewell vs Graham vs Blfd, WV, vs Princeton vs Athens, > etc) has been largely responsible for today's significant loss of economic > prosperity for each town and community in this area. While this attitude is > wholesome for our schools on the ball field, our communities have conducted > their economies as small individual entities, and this has been devastating. > There > is a population of 150,000 within a 20 mile radius of Bluefield. Our area > will prosper > again only when we can join and act as a whole. A new Heart Center is > finally a reality > because Bluefield and Princeton finally partnered together. Approval for > the center > was about to be lost to be lost entirely, because each town wanted it, to > the exclusion > of the other. My roots go back to the pioneer families of both counties ( by > today's maps), > and I have forbears who have been leaders in each of the towns. Each town > has its own > rich history, and each is a wonderful place to live. And none of that should > ever be forgotten. > But we must act as a single voice, or there will be no businesses left, and > none of our > descendants will be able to continue living in the area. So many have > already left. > > Robert Perry > Bluefield > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Lisa/John Ward" <jldj@bellsouth.net> > To: <VATAZEWE-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2003 9:44 PM > Subject: [VA-TAZEWELL] Bluefield WV and VA > > > > Bluefield, Mercer Co., WV and Bluefield, Tazewell Co., VA > > ARE TWO SEPARATE AND DISTINCT CITIES, COMPLETE WITH THEIR OWN COUNTY > SEATS! > > > > Mercer Co., WV seat is Princeton and Tazewell Co., VA is Tazewell. > > > > I know this to be a fact because all of my family lines are in Mercer Co., > > WV born and died while the paternal line is in Tazewell Co. I was born in > > Bluefield, MERCER co., WV and parents raised in Bluefield, TAZEWELL Co., > > VA!! > > > > Yes, there was a time when Bluefield, VIRGINIA was known as Graham, West > > Graham, etc., just as Bluefield, WEST VIRGINIA was known as Beaver Pond. > > > > However, in reference to the post regarding Bluefield as being partially > in > > WV and partially in VA, it indicates that Bluefield is one city. THIS IS > NOT > > THE CASE. These are 2 distinct and different cities, side by side, one > city > > on one side of the border, and one on the other. > > > > It is true that when WV gained statehood, what was considered Mercer > County, > > VA became Mercer Co., WV, and Mercer was originally spawned from Giles and > > Tazewell Counties in 1837. But to say that Bluefield actually lies across > 2 > > state borders is not factual. > > > > The two towns are so close in geography, as well as sharing the same name. > > This can be confusing. See VA GENWEB and WVGENWEB Counties and cities > > listings for example. > > > > Lisa Murphey Ward > > > > > > ==== VATAZEWE Mailing List ==== > > TAZEWELL LIST ADMINISTRATOR > > VATazewe-Admin@Rootsweb.com > > > > > > > > > ==== VATAZEWE Mailing List ==== > Take an extra moment to delete unnecessary > material from a reply you give to someone. > It looks more professional, and looks like > you've taken the time to send your best. > >

Regarding the comments about the two Bluefields, the statement bellow is both correct and incorrect. The two towns do indeed have separate town governments and different county seats, and as such are two separate and distinct cities. However, the city of limits of the two towns do join, and today as one drives across town, a visitor sees no indication of passing from one town to another. The regionalistic rivalry and competitiveness that has been important to some through the years (Tazewell vs Graham vs Blfd, WV, vs Princeton vs Athens, etc) has been largely responsible for today's significant loss of economic prosperity for each town and community in this area. While this attitude is wholesome for our schools on the ball field, our communities have conducted their economies as small individual entities, and this has been devastating. There is a population of 150,000 within a 20 mile radius of Bluefield. Our area will prosper again only when we can join and act as a whole. A new Heart Center is finally a reality because Bluefield and Princeton finally partnered together. Approval for the center was about to be lost to be lost entirely, because each town wanted it, to the exclusion of the other. My roots go back to the pioneer families of both counties ( by today's maps), and I have forbears who have been leaders in each of the towns. Each town has its own rich history, and each is a wonderful place to live. And none of that should ever be forgotten. But we must act as a single voice, or there will be no businesses left, and none of our descendants will be able to continue living in the area. So many have already left. Robert Perry Bluefield ----- Original Message ----- From: "Lisa/John Ward" <jldj@bellsouth.net> To: <VATAZEWE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2003 9:44 PM Subject: [VA-TAZEWELL] Bluefield WV and VA > Bluefield, Mercer Co., WV and Bluefield, Tazewell Co., VA > ARE TWO SEPARATE AND DISTINCT CITIES, COMPLETE WITH THEIR OWN COUNTY SEATS! > > Mercer Co., WV seat is Princeton and Tazewell Co., VA is Tazewell. > > I know this to be a fact because all of my family lines are in Mercer Co., > WV born and died while the paternal line is in Tazewell Co. I was born in > Bluefield, MERCER co., WV and parents raised in Bluefield, TAZEWELL Co., > VA!! > > Yes, there was a time when Bluefield, VIRGINIA was known as Graham, West > Graham, etc., just as Bluefield, WEST VIRGINIA was known as Beaver Pond. > > However, in reference to the post regarding Bluefield as being partially in > WV and partially in VA, it indicates that Bluefield is one city. THIS IS NOT > THE CASE. These are 2 distinct and different cities, side by side, one city > on one side of the border, and one on the other. > > It is true that when WV gained statehood, what was considered Mercer County, > VA became Mercer Co., WV, and Mercer was originally spawned from Giles and > Tazewell Counties in 1837. But to say that Bluefield actually lies across 2 > state borders is not factual. > > The two towns are so close in geography, as well as sharing the same name. > This can be confusing. See VA GENWEB and WVGENWEB Counties and cities > listings for example. > > Lisa Murphey Ward > > > ==== VATAZEWE Mailing List ==== > TAZEWELL LIST ADMINISTRATOR > VATazewe-Admin@Rootsweb.com > > >

Coal was the vehicle that drove the prosperity of the two Bluefields in the late 19th century. And The Clean Air Act caused people to switch to other forms of energy, that the coal industry is just about gone. Dale Goodwin Salem OR

Yea Lisa Ward, You are right as i was born and raised near Bluefield WVa. 2 States, 2 Counties and 2 Cities. Wanda Fox Evensen JESUS LOVES YOU. Go to the BIBLE--John 3:16 Tells all about HIM

Bluefield, Mercer Co., WV and Bluefield, Tazewell Co., VA ARE TWO SEPARATE AND DISTINCT CITIES, COMPLETE WITH THEIR OWN COUNTY SEATS! Mercer Co., WV seat is Princeton and Tazewell Co., VA is Tazewell. I know this to be a fact because all of my family lines are in Mercer Co., WV born and died while the paternal line is in Tazewell Co. I was born in Bluefield, MERCER co., WV and parents raised in Bluefield, TAZEWELL Co., VA!! Yes, there was a time when Bluefield, VIRGINIA was known as Graham, West Graham, etc., just as Bluefield, WEST VIRGINIA was known as Beaver Pond. However, in reference to the post regarding Bluefield as being partially in WV and partially in VA, it indicates that Bluefield is one city. THIS IS NOT THE CASE. These are 2 distinct and different cities, side by side, one city on one side of the border, and one on the other. It is true that when WV gained statehood, what was considered Mercer County, VA became Mercer Co., WV, and Mercer was originally spawned from Giles and Tazewell Counties in 1837. But to say that Bluefield actually lies across 2 state borders is not factual. The two towns are so close in geography, as well as sharing the same name. This can be confusing. See VA GENWEB and WVGENWEB Counties and cities listings for example. Lisa Murphey Ward

The town of Bluefield actually straddles the state line. About two thirds of the town is in WV (Mercer Co) and the rest in Tazewell co, Virginia. Before 1924, the town on the Virginia side was called Graham. It also had the earlier name of Pin Hook, and I think briefly was called Harman. I think it was Graham by 1890. The WV side was incorporated as Bluefield in 1889, and was referred to as Higginbotham's farm prior to that. Both towns were nothing more than cross road villeges until the 1880's when the coal business began to flourish in a big way, and the railroad was built through both towns, which carried the coal from the coalfields to the markets in central virginia and beyond. A large RR switching terminal was built at Bluefield, WV around 1889 which brought tremendous prosperity. And bluefield became the business hub for all the coalfields activity. But it was earlier thought the terminal would be built at Graham, and there was significant land speculation t! here in the 1880's.. City lots were laid out in anticipation. Then some folks lost a lot of money when the decision was made to build it on the WV side instead. Graham remaind a very small town, while Bluefield, WV doubled in population every ten years from 1890 until about 1930. The 1890 pop was 1500 and by 1930 it was 25,000. The Virginia side population peeked out at aound 3,000. ------------------- ----- Original Message ----- From: ASBJ56@aol.com To: robertperry@citlink.net Sent: Monday, October 27, 2003 10:07 PM Subject: Re: [VA-TAZEWELL] Bluefield College Robert, thanks so much for the information. Do you know if Bluefield in 1890 was Tazewell CO VA or West Virginia? Thanks, Ann

There was a college for a short time in Richlands in the 1890's. Without checking through my newspaper clippings I can't be sure, but I believe it was in the building that later housed the W. B. F. White Hardware store for many years. It is now Clinch Valley Millworks, and part of the original facade remains. There was also one in Cedar Bluff on what is now called College Hill. I'm not sure of the time period, but it would probably have been late 1800's or early 1900's. It later became a school. The building still stands, but is deserted. Patricia Christian

Bluefield College was founded in 1919, and is a Baptist owned school. There is also Bluefield State College which was founded in 1896 for African American students, and was a teachers' college. I believe there was a college that briefly operated in Bluefield, VA in the early 1900's. And I think there was a college briefly in Tazewell in the early 1900's as well. ----- Original Message ----- From: <Co51Ne@aol.com> To: <VATAZEWE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, October 27, 2003 7:55 PM Subject: [VA-TAZEWELL] Bluefield College > Oh, yes. There is a Bluefield College there and going strong. > I am sure you can find it on the net. And, it is listed in the Bluefield > telephone information. > Good luck and happy hunting. > Neda in VA > > > ==== VATAZEWE Mailing List ==== > WATCH YOUR SUBJECT LINES > Take an extra second and > give them a good one for > the subject of your list > message. IT DOES MATTER! > > >

Oh, yes. There is a Bluefield College there and going strong. I am sure you can find it on the net. And, it is listed in the Bluefield telephone information. Good luck and happy hunting. Neda in VA

Can anyone tell me if there was a University in Bluefield or Tazewell Co. ca 1890's. Is it still open and can it be contacted ? Thanks, Ann

Do you know of any DNA projects for Martha and Samuel Rose Thanks Linda

A Carter surname DNA genealogy project has been started at www.familytreedna.com. We are accepting participants from all Carter lines. If you have a male Carter that is willing to be tested for markers on his Y chromosome please consider joining our group at: http://www.familytreedna.com/surname_join.asp?code=C98318&special=True. Vickie Carter Tallent www.carter-cousins.org

Searching for parents of LEONARD MYERS, who was B.1790 in Wythe County, married in Wythe County ,1815 to ELIZABETH (BETSY) LINDAMOOD whose parents are JOHN and MARY LINDAMOOD of Wythe County, both born in Shenandoah County, Leonard had 9 children with her and resided in Tazewell County, she died in 1844/46. He married her sister Mary (Polly) Lindamood born around 1802. m. 1850. Leonard's brothers were John Joe Benjamin Isaac and had a sister Jane might be more siblings and a lot of the times they went by middle names and these, might be middle names??? Thank You, Would appreciate any leads concerning his parents, Gwenn Ghorne@swfla.rr.com

All of the lists must have been down because this is the third list that someone has sent a test message. Pat Ratcliff Conover, NC Researching RATCLIFF, GRABILL, BUTTON, HICKS, DEWITT, BUTTS, WHEAT, PUTNAM, KENNEDY, COREY, BURCHETT, TUTTLE, WELTY/BURGETT http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/r/a/t/Patricia-Louise-Ratcliff/ ----- Original Message ----- From: "Michelle Burress" <mish@TechVox.net> To: <VATAZEWE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, October 13, 2003 21:31 Subject: [VA-TAZEWELL] Testing to see if this works > > Testing to see if the list email works > > > > ==== VATAZEWE Mailing List ==== > Take an extra moment to delete unnecessary > material from a reply you give to someone. > It looks more professional, and looks like > you've taken the time to send your best. > >

<A HREF="http://aolsearch.aol.com/aol/search?query=great+wagon+road">Click here: AOL Search: Results for "great wagon road"</A> I did a 'Google' search for the great wagon road and came up with 'piles' of sites. I am sending them to you to check out. I hope you find your answer. Good luck and happy hunting. Neda in VA