The community of Omar was named after James Omar Cole who in the 1880s and 90s purchased large tracks of land in the Omar area for its timber. He was the grandfather to Cole Porter, a well-known songwriter.*
1950s Front Street, Omar, WV
This is a collection of photos of Omar, WV. You can help preserve a bit of Logan County history by sharing your vintage photos with us. To share a photo, please send it to the admin at loganwv.us@gmail.com. Please note that you must own the photo you are submitting or ensure that no one has a copyright claim on it.
Omar, Logan County, West Virginia
Photo Gallery
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Omar, WV courtesy of Doretha Mollett. Image 16491.
Omar, WV courtesy of Doretha Mollett. Image 16491.
Pine Creek courtesy of Diana Ellis. Ref. image 16702.
Pine Creek courtesy of Diana Ellis. Ref. image 16702.
Omar Jr. High School courtesy of Diana Ellis. Ref. image 16701.
Omar Jr. High School courtesy of Diana Ellis. Ref. image 16701.
Omar School and Omar Community Church courtesy of Diana Ellis. Ref. image 16999.
Omar School and Omar Community Church courtesy of Diana Ellis. Ref. image 16999.
Esso Service Station, Omar, WV courtesy of Dewey Stepp. Image 1650.
Esso Service Station, Omar, WV courtesy of Dewey Stepp. Image 1650.
Omar Ball Park courtesy of Diana Ellis. Ref. image 16997.
Omar Ball Park courtesy of Diana Ellis. Ref. image 16997.
Mine at Pine Creek courtesy of of Diana Ellis. Ref. image 16998.
Mine at Pine Creek courtesy of of Diana Ellis. Ref. image 16998.
Omar postcard courtesy of Jack Browning. 1144892
Omar postcard courtesy of Jack Browning. 1144892
Omar postcard courtesy of Jack Browning. (422378)
Omar postcard courtesy of Jack Browning. (422378)
Ball Park - Omar, WV. Image 1344.
Ball Park - Omar, WV. Image 1344.
Omar, WV Post Office courtesy of Jack Browning. (235879)
Omar, WV Post Office courtesy of Jack Browning. (235879)
Omar, WV postcard courtesy of Danny Kennedy. (Omar DK58912)
Omar, WV postcard courtesy of Danny Kennedy. (Omar DK58912)
Omar, WV courtesy of Charles Childers.
Omar, WV courtesy of Charles Childers.
Main Island Creek Coal Co., Omar, W. Va.
Main Island Creek Coal Co., Omar, W. Va.
Omar, WV Post Office and Office Building
Omar, WV Post Office and Office Building
1950s snowy Omar courtesy Linda Farley. She writes. The 2nd house on the left is where I was born.
1950s snowy Omar courtesy Linda Farley. She writes. The 2nd house on the left is where I was born.
1948 Omar Girl Scout Troop No. 11. Clipping courtesy of Charlotte Martin.
1948 Omar Girl Scout Troop No. 11. Clipping courtesy of Charlotte Martin.
March 2014, Front Street, Omar, WV
March 2014, Front Street, Omar, WV
Pine Creek courtesy of Collins Funeral Home, Switzer, WV.
Pine Creek courtesy of Collins Funeral Home, Switzer, WV.
Logan Banner, Friday, February 22, 1935. Courtesy or Ralph Mcneely.
Logan Banner, Friday, February 22, 1935. Courtesy or Ralph Mcneely.
The old Club House at Omar, WV. It was later called the old Doctor's House. Dr. Moore had a practice there. This 1990s photo courtesy of Henry Ball.
The old Club House at Omar, WV. It was later called the old Doctor's House. Dr. Moore had a practice there. This 1990s photo courtesy of Henry Ball.
Little Creek No. 19 Tipple being dismantled. Clipping from the a 1949 edition of the Omar Safety News courtesy of Ralph Mcneely.
Little Creek No. 19 Tipple being dismantled. Clipping from the a 1949 edition of the Omar Safety News courtesy of Ralph Mcneely.
1950s Omar, WV
1950s Omar, WV
1950s Omar, WV
1950s Omar, WV
1915, the men who opened the Omar field. Photo from Page 71 of the Centennial Program Booklet published by the City of Logan in 1952.
1915, the men who opened the Omar field. Photo from Page 71 of the Centennial Program Booklet published by the City of Logan in 1952.
Jean Caldwell Herman on Front Street courtesy of Betty Perry McCarthy.
Jean Caldwell Herman on Front Street courtesy of Betty Perry McCarthy.
1946 Omar Boosters courtesy of Larry Rogers
1946 Omar Boosters courtesy of Larry Rogers
1976ccoal mine slate outcrop at Omar, WV courtesy of Bob Piros.
1976ccoal mine slate outcrop at Omar, WV courtesy of Bob Piros.
1920s Omar, WV courtesy of Ralph Mcneely.
1920s Omar, WV courtesy of Ralph Mcneely.
1920s 400 Hill, Omar, WV courtesy of Ralph Mcneely.
1920s 400 Hill, Omar, WV courtesy of Ralph Mcneely.
1920s Omar, WV Front Street and 400 Hill courtesy of Ralph Mcneely.
1920s Omar, WV Front Street and 400 Hill courtesy of Ralph Mcneely.
1920s Omar, WV courtesy of Ralph Mcneely.
1920s Omar, WV courtesy of Ralph Mcneely.
1920s Omar, WV courtesy of Ralph Mcneely.
1920s Omar, WV courtesy of Ralph Mcneely.
Omar Safety Day, July 25, 1941, Logan County, WV courtesy of Ralph Mcneely.
Omar Safety Day, July 25, 1941, Logan County, WV courtesy of Ralph Mcneely.
1930s Coal and Coke Mine Number 4 at Omar, WV. Photo courtesy of Cora Sloan Harrison. The man in the white looking coat is the Boss, Mart Sloan, my Great Uncle. Roy Smith is the man behind him.
1930s Coal and Coke Mine Number 4 at Omar, WV. Photo courtesy of Cora Sloan Harrison. The man in the white looking coat is the Boss, Mart Sloan, my Great Uncle. Roy Smith is the man behind him.
Photo courtesy of Sandy Huffman Major.
Photo courtesy of Sandy Huffman Major.
1976 bridge near the Omar Coal Company Mine courtesy of Bob Piros.
1976 bridge near the Omar Coal Company Mine courtesy of Bob Piros.
1976 Coal Cars at Omar courtesy of Bob Piros.
1976 Coal Cars at Omar courtesy of Bob Piros.
1976 Omar Coal Company courtesy of Bob Piros.
1976 Omar Coal Company courtesy of Bob Piros.
1935 Omar, WV courtesy of the Library of Congress.
1935 Omar, WV courtesy of the Library of Congress.
Omar, WV October 1935 courtesy of the Library of Congress. 1164
Omar, WV October 1935 courtesy of the Library of Congress. 1164
1938 Omar, WV courtesy of Library of Congress, Marion Post Walcott, photographer. Image 1891.
1938 Omar, WV courtesy of Library of Congress, Marion Post Walcott, photographer. Image 1891.
1935 Omar, WV Courtesy of the Library of Congress
1935 Omar, WV Courtesy of the Library of Congress
1935 Omar, WV courtesy of the Library of Congress.
1935 Omar, WV courtesy of the Library of Congress.
1935 Omar, WV courtesy of the Library of Congress.
1935 Omar, WV courtesy of the Library of Congress.
1935 Omar, WV courtesy of the Library of Congress. 138224
1935 Omar, WV courtesy of the Library of Congress. 138224
1935 Superior Bottom at Omar, WV courtesy of the Library of Congress.
1935 Superior Bottom at Omar, WV courtesy of the Library of Congress.
1935 Omar, WV courtesy of the Library of Congress.
1935 Omar, WV courtesy of the Library of Congress.
1935 Omar, WV courtesy of the Library of Congress.
1935 Omar, WV courtesy of the Library of Congress.
1935 Omar, WV courtesy of the Library of Congress.
1935 Omar, WV courtesy of the Library of Congress.
Omar FSA photo courtesy of the Library of Congress.
Omar FSA photo courtesy of the Library of Congress.
1935 Omar, WV courtesy of the Library of Congress.
1935 Omar, WV courtesy of the Library of Congress.
1935 Omar, WV courtesy of the Library of Congress.
1935 Omar, WV courtesy of the Library of Congress.
1935 Omar, WV courtesy of the Library of Congress.
1935 Omar, WV courtesy of the Library of Congress.
1935 Omar, WV courtesy of the Library of Congress.
1935 Omar, WV courtesy of the Library of Congress.
1935 Omar, WV courtesy of the Library of Congress.
1935 Omar, WV courtesy of the Library of Congress.
1935 Omar, WV courtesy of the Library of Congress.
1935 Omar, WV courtesy of the Library of Congress.
1935 Omar, WV courtesy of the Library of Congress.
1935 Omar, WV courtesy of the Library of Congress.
1935 Omar, WV courtesy of the Library of Congress.
1935 Omar, WV courtesy of the Library of Congress.
1935 400 Hill, Omar, WV courtesy of the Library of Congress.
1935 400 Hill, Omar, WV courtesy of the Library of Congress.
1935, Main Street, Omar, WV courtesy of Library of Congress. 4164
1935, Main Street, Omar, WV courtesy of Library of Congress. 4164
1935 700 Hill, Omar, WV courtesy of the Library of Congress.
1935 700 Hill, Omar, WV courtesy of the Library of Congress.
1935 Omar, WV courtesy of the Library of Congress.
1935 Omar, WV courtesy of the Library of Congress.
1935 Omar, WV courtesy of the Library of Congress.
1935 Omar, WV courtesy of the Library of Congress.
1935 Omar, WV courtesy of the Library of Congress.
1935 Omar, WV courtesy of the Library of Congress.
Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress, Farm Security Administration Collection, photographer Marion Post Wolcott.
Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress, Farm Security Administration Collection, photographer Marion Post Wolcott.
1935 Omar, WV courtesy of the Library of Congress.
1935 Omar, WV courtesy of the Library of Congress.
1935 Omar, WV courtesy of the Library of Congress.
1935 Omar, WV courtesy of the Library of Congress.
1935 Omar, WV courtesy of the Library of Congress.
1935 Omar, WV courtesy of the Library of Congress.
1938 Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress, Farm Security Administration Collection, photographer Marion Post Wolcott.
1938 Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress, Farm Security Administration Collection, photographer Marion Post Wolcott.
Omar, WV Oct. 1935. Courtesy of the Library of Congress. If you know her name, please leave a comment and reference photo 228167.
Omar, WV Oct. 1935. Courtesy of the Library of Congress. If you know her name, please leave a comment and reference photo 228167.
Omar Grade School, Rigsby family photo
Omar Grade School, Rigsby family photo
Rigsby family of Omar, WV
Rigsby family of Omar, WV
Rigsby family, Omar, WV
Rigsby family, Omar, WV
Near Omar, WV Oct. 1935 courtesy of the Library of Congress
Near Omar, WV Oct. 1935 courtesy of the Library of Congress
"This is the old Club House in Omar. To the left is the scout hall and behind it is where they kept the mules that were used in the mines. Lumber Camp is in the background." - info courtesy of Carlene Vance Mowery. Photo taken from the 1939 Logan High School Yearbook
"This is the old Club House in Omar. To the left is the scout hall and behind it is where they kept the mules that were used in the mines. Lumber Camp is in the background." - info courtesy of Carlene Vance Mowery. Photo taken from the 1939 Logan High School Yearbook
Rigsby family of Omar.
Rigsby family of Omar.
Upper Omar Photo courtesy of Emmett Ray Adkins.
Upper Omar Photo courtesy of Emmett Ray Adkins.
Junior Mercantile Company Store 1938 at Omar courtesy of Lillian Porter-Smith.
Junior Mercantile Company Store 1938 at Omar courtesy of Lillian Porter-Smith.
LOGAN POINTS WITH PRIDE TO OMAR’S RAPID GROWTH
Logan Democrat, Thursday, March 30, 1916(courtesy of Brandon Ray Kirk)
Bright, Clean, Happy and Prosperous it Has Set a New Standard for Coal Mining Camps.
BUILT UP IN PAST TWO YEARS
Location of the Operation of the Main Island Creek Coal Company Ideal for the Business.
Island Creek Coal Co. has, in only a little over two years, wrought wonders. We will take the train at Huntington, and travel 75 miles to Logan on the Chesapeake & Ohio railroad, and from there, nine miles on the Main Island Creek branch of the same road to this new model town. We can leave Huntington at 7 o’clock in the morning, or at 2:40 in the afternoon, just as you prefer. If we go in the morning we arrive at Omar at about 11:30 – in time for a good dinner at the company’s fine, new club house.
Recreation, Entertainment, Etc.
After lunch, we will take a little time to look around. First, the club house itself is a large, two-story building, with wide halls, large and well-lighted rooms, a reading room and parlor; and in this, we find a piano, a victrola, books, music and games, in the rooms we fine good furniture, nice carpets, curtains and all that makes for comforts. Bath room, and some of the rooms have private baths. The club house is not merely a boarding place – it is a home for “the boys” over in the store and offices, a building just a few hundred few across the way.
Now we’ll take a look though the Y. M. C. A. and theatre, sitting out there at the edge of a wide grass plot. And here we find preparations for a gymnasium, a swimming pool, bowling, billiards, etc. Everything is in the best of shape.
Schools, Churches, Etc.
There is a splendid school building where several grades are taught; capable teachers, and a large attendance. Churches are found, both for white and colored employees – all good substantial buildings, and the main, supported by the company and its employees.
The Store and Offices.
The store and office building is one of the largest in the state. Besides
(From Friday’s Courier.)
The following is reproduced from the “Mines and Mining” column of the Charleston Daily Mail of March 24: Just a few years ago a coalfield town anywhere was a synonym for grime, dirt and slovenliness; and, at the same time a coal mine was at once associated with the word death, in the minds of the general public. In some ways, all this was a true picture. It is not now.
If you will take a little trip with me, we shall visit what is probably the largest new model mining town in West Virginia – Omar, where the Main (missing text) the stone basement, it has three stores, with offices of the mine officials, engineers, etc., opening off from the downstairs store room proper, and on the second floor above. The third is used chiefly for storage of package goods until they are required for sale in the main store room and on the second floor.
In the main store, we find a wonderful display, indeed. All the fixtures, counters, shelving, soda fountain, etc., are of the latest design, and the merchandise, from the silk counter clean on back to the sanitary butcher’s counter of white marble, is just the same as you see in any of the fine city stores. Only, take notice: the prices are more reasonable. What? Yes, sir; the goods sold to the employees of this company are sold at less profit than your dealer charges you. How is that, you ask? Just for this reason: The Main Island Creek Coal Co.’s main business is mining and shipping coal; the store or “commissary” is just for the accommodation of the employees, no more. It expects to make only a small profit on the goods sold in its store.
No let us wee what kind of house the “poor miners” live in. Well, but you say, let’s look for the grime. It’s no use; there is none. These houses you see — all cozy, well built, large of room, large windows, electric lighted, plastered; many of them with water piped in, withy kitchen sings, with good-sized yards and gardens, all fresh painted, and having brick chimneys built from the ground and wide, open fire places – all these are the miners’ homes. You see for yourself they are no “shacks.” And, mare you, these good looking, real homes rent for a great deal less than your city workers for $2.00 per month per room with lights at 25 cents per month per light, while coal is furnished – that is required at $1.00 per month, delivered. Can you beat it?
The Mines.
We can now enter one, or all, of the four mines now in operation at Omar. Oh, you needn’t start humping yourself over like that. Just walk along upright, for these coal seams are seven feet thick, and there’s plenty of room between your feet and the stone roof above you for a pretty tall man to walk without stooping. And you need not worry about where you step, either, as it’s dry. Only look out and don’t touch that heavy wire over there to one side. It’s loaded. Pretty soon a train of mine cares, pulled by a motor that’s run from that wire, will come shooting along; but we’ll just step off here, under this electric light, until it goes by. Then well go on ahead to where “the boys” have “shot down” a great pile of blocks of coal from the wall of coal, and are shoveling them into cars. And truly a wall of coal it is, standing up there before us at the “heading” between two horizontal layers of thick, smooth rock. This is the great Island Creek seam of rich splint and gas coal, know everywhere for it purity and commercial value. Miners just love to work in this seam. And this company has nearly thirty thousand acres of it!
General Features.
The town of Omar is beautiful for situation. In the summer, when the foliage is on the trees of the forests which roll away in all directions like billowy mountains of green, there is no more beautiful spot. The is pure, and winds and numerous swiftly flowing steams play unceasingly upon it. The mechanical equipment of this (? unreadable) mining plant is such as to make possible a production of 4,000,000 tons of coal a year, and methods are in use to prepare this to suit the requirements of all classes of coal consumers.
Personnel of Officials.
The Main Island Creek Coal Co. is one of the John Laing group of mines or, properly, the Wyatt Coal Co. group. Mr. Laing, who was lately state mine inspector of West Virginia, is one of the commanding figures in the mining industry of the state. Besides being the executive head of this company, he is also president of the MacAlpin Coal Co., on the Virginian railroad; the Wyatt on Cabin Creek; the McGregor, on Rum Creek in Logan County, and the McCaa on the Little Kanawha, in Gilmer County, and of course, of the Wyatt Coal Co., the selling company whose main office is in Charleston, with branches in Cincinnati, Detroit, Richmond and New York. The Main Island Creek operations at Omar are in the charge of big “Jack” Alton, good friend to everybody, and one of the best men in the mining business.
Hi Jennifer! After a search on the yellow pages, I can confirm that Colane Cottage from Omar is out of business. I do not know if the building is still there, though. Perhaps a google search may bring you to some pictures from the cottage. Carlo
I was told when I attended Omar Junior High School that Omar was named after one of the major coal operators in the area, and used the initials in anagram form. For example the coal company initials would be RAMO; which would stand for R. A. Mining Operation, and as an anagram OMAR. I’m just not sure what the initials R.A. stand for? This would make more sense than the town being named after the middle name of one of the men who bought land and mineral rights in the area. Just down the road from Omar there’s the small community of Micco; which is the shortened form of the coal company in that area, which was the Main Island Creek Coal Operation. If anyone else has heard this version of how Omar was named; please let me know! Thanks from an Island Creeker!
Omar is located in mountainous country with narrow bottom lands. During pioneer times the main transportation was by foot and horseback along paths by the waterways and through the woods. In the 1880s and 1890s distant investors bought large tracts of land for the timber. Clinton Crane, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and James Omar Cole, of Peru, Indiana, the namesake for Omar, paid $260,000 for 37,000 acres around the area where the town of Omar is located. (Cole Porter, a well-known songwriter, was the grandson of James Omar Cole.)
Sorry, Doug Cline got some erroneous info on OMAR. He needs to realize that answer was in the “Pre-Google” era. NOT easy access to historical data like that! Pretty simple for me to “Google” it and get the same background our other friend, Doug, got. Recognize just how “spoiled” we are today! I CAN confirm that you are correct on the naming of MICCO. Don’t think any more of our “mining camps” were able to keep it that easy.
Bob, I’m unclear as to which photo you mean. Can you give me the “image number” for it? When I view the 3rd picture in the 8th row of first page of the Omar photo gallery (image #31), it is a picture of several school children.
Thanks for posting the R.A.as it helps me
with a 90 year old photo that I have with
those letters on a jacket worn by my
Uncle Paul Tarkany.( 1905- 1962 )
He lived in Monaville, WV. & was a
wonderful basketball player.
I am curious to know if anyone remembers Jessie Dillard Pultz and family. Jessie Dillard Pultz (1900-1979) was the second child of Joseph Scott Pultz (1874-1937). He was born in Hartsook Shop, Rockbridge County, and at age 17 was working on the family farm. He graduated from the Dunsmore Business School in Staunton, VA, in 1922, and went to work in the office of the Omar Mining Company in Logan, WV, about 190 miles west of Rockbridge County. There he met and married, in 1924, Lula Lee Davis (1906-1988). They had three daughters, Charlotte Christine Pultz Christian (1927-2011), Frances Jean Pultz Dettor (1931-1985), and Janet Louis Pultz Ritz (1931-living). They also had a son, Billy Joe Pultz (1926-1926), who only lived two days. Jessie died and is buried in Omar, WV. I have about ten pictures of them.
Interesting! Kirk, you have a lot of detailed family data. Assume you’re related and referencing some strong source. Funny, I was thinking of that family just a couple of weeks ago—could not “pull up” any names! NOW, my memory is jogged. No doubt, you’re talking about what I knew as The Shorty Pultz family— very well-respected Omar folks. I knew two of the daughters as Jean and Janet. Wondered what happened to them. I grew up about 5-6 houses from them as I lived there from 1933 til 1950 when I left for college. Girls were a year or two ahead of me. I’d be very receptive to any other info you might access. Appreciate!
I got the info off Ancestry originally. The photos I have were in my grandmother’s photo book. I am related. Jessie is a first cousin, twice removed. He is the nephew of my great-grandfather. I just got in touch with his granddaughter, my third cousin. The oldest daughter, Charlotte, died in 2011. One of the twins, Francis Jean, died in 1985. The other twin, Janet, is still with us at age 89.
I lived in Sandy Bottom , before that I lived in Pine Creek, went to Omar school then to Logan graduated 1958. moved after graduation to Ohio. I love all my good memories of my friends and school and neighbors in Sandy Bottom. Carole Perry Rautio.
My Mom was born in omar in 1944 and lived there until around 1962. Unfortunately she passed away from cancer in 2010. I would love to find out where they lived or anything else if anyone knows so I may visit the area to see where she grew up. Her name was Rose Mary Culkar before getting married. She had a brother named Herman. She had 3 sisters. One named Theresa and other named Irene. The 3rd sister was killed before I was born and I don’t remember her name. Unfortunately my mom’s brother Herman and sister Theresa passed away from cancer within a few months of her and I have no way to contact the last living sister. Anything you can tell me will be much appreciated. Thank you.
Patrick, you can find your Culkar family
at familysearch.org.
1940 census shows a Joe Culkar,
born in 1894 in Breck Yugoslvania.
He died in 1967 In Logan & is buried
in Highland Memory Gardens.
He was a coal miner in Omar.
I went at Omar school there in about 1954 and on to Logan school Clifford and sister also Opal after ward Irene Donna Marcella from Sararsh ann we know a lot there
I lived on Cow Creek. I attended Omar Jr High from 1973 thru 1976. I’m looking for a picture of the Omar Booster Team Logo. We didn’t have one when I was there but I’ve been told that they adopted one later on.
If I can find it in my photos I’ll send it to you. I attended Omar Junior High and Elementary School from the 1st to the 9th grade; so I have so many wonderful memories from my time attending there. The logo was of a man holding a megaphone and a banner with the team name Omar Boosters on it…..the name Boosters meant an enthusiastic supporter!
I was born and raised in Chauncey, about a mile from Omar. Went to Omar Jr High the year before they moved to the new building in Chauncey in 1965 my 9th grade year. I remember walking the railroad tracks from Chauncey to Omar to get groceries from the company store across from the Jr High school. My sister lived in Pine Creek. I would love to hear from anyone who went to school there from 1963-1964. Also remember seeing the movie “Bambi” when it first came out at the Omar theatre. Good times. I had 11 brothers and sisters. Go Mountaineers!
roger west born stirrat went to omar jr high 63 64 home room teacher mrs royce other teachers mr and mrs dickerson mr glenn coach savage i remember great times at that school
I lived in Micco and attended Omar grade school (starting in 4th grade) then on to Junior High and Logan High School, class of 1956. My father was a coal miner and I have wonderful memories of my childhood. Loved seeing the picture of Russell Royce and my teachers shown in the Community Church photo. Thanks to all that contributed.
My Father, Yates Blevins, was born in Omar in 1918. His Father, John Edward Blevins, also worked in the coal mines in Omar and other areas in and around Logan, WV. John Edward Blevins’ brother Leo, and his father Meredith, are pictured in the “Tipple Crew – WV Coal & Coke Corp. Oman, WV, Mine #4, 9-11-1939” picture posted on this site.
Regarding Mr. James Harrison’s Tipple Crew – WV Coal & Coal Corp., Omar, WV 9-11-1939 picture, my great-grandfather, Meredith Blevins, is in the top row, 5th person from the left. Meredith’s son, Leo Blevins, is on the first row, 2nd from left.
Perhaps somebody from Omar, WV can help me with something. I came across an old Boy Scouts Eagle Scout medal and certificate awarded to one Milton Sutherland from Omar, WV in early 1942. I have been entirely unsuccessful in finding anything out about the guy. Anybody know anything about him?
Dave, Anywho.com shows lots
of people living in the area of
Logan with last name of Sutherland
& phone # , maybe you can call to
find out if they are related to Milton.
Bob, I thought that I had answered your query but apparently I did not do it correctly. Here goes:
Milton(Buddy) Sutherland lived on “Front St ” in Lower Omar . His dad was Guy Sutherland
who was a buyer for WVC&C and worked in the Omar offices. Buddy was a graduate of
Va. Tech. His brother was Donald Gene Sutherland, also a Tech grad, who became renouned
as a nuclear waste expert. To my knowledge they are both dead.
My name is Vern Wilson. Lived my first 18 years in Omar, from 1933 to 1951. LHS grad in ’50. The Guy Sutherland someone mentioned was an exec with the Coal Company. He had two sons,Guy Milton and Donald Gene. Guy was the Eagle Scout whose info was found. Both he and Don were engineering grads of Virginia Tech. Ironically, Guy ended up in Houston, where I am, and an exec with Tennessee Oil & Gas. He had married Dianna Steele, a close neighbor on Front Street in Omar. Don(many called him Gene) became a sought-after expert in atomic waste disposal. We remained close friends over all the years. He died 5 or 6 years ago while living in Sacramento, CA
I did not know you but saw your Mom at one of Jack’s college games. I convinced Ben to stop by your Mom’s in Switzer and they both loved the visit. She asked that he not stay away so long and he promised to visit again and she passed away the following year. Quite a lady!!
Freda, how nice! When I saw the ROYCE name, I thought of Benny..I MUST have met you somewhere along the line. Would love to have an update from you all. Last I remember, was “indy-somewhere”–maybe Indianapolis? Thank goodness, my MOM died before brother Jack,at age 52 in 1988.
It was Indy, then San Antonio for two years Brooke Army Hospital, then Morehead to get Ben’s BS, a teaching job in Rising Sun, IN 1961 until retirement in 1991. Ben passed away in 1995. I stayed in Rising Sun until my father passed away 2000 and bought a house in Mount Pleasant, SC, after realizing they have “Seasons”, I sold and headed south to Fort Myers Beach until three years ago. I am back home in Rising Sun. We were living here when Jim Riffe called about Jack. No child should go before the parents. She loved her “boys”. I called Helen and Jim’s number over a year ago and learned she had passed away and he was living with a son (maybe FL?? – not sure) Johnny Wayne and his wife live in Cincinnati and we share emails (political – Hee Hee). They visited me on FMB and have owned or may still own land in the adjoining county. I knew your wife, Dolores, when she worked at LHS. This is really long but Ben and I had a wonderful life and I have good memories. I don’t know how long I will have the memories but I feel Blessed. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and I enjoyed reading a response from one of the Omar good boys. There were many – good people!
Paul Young
I grew up in Omar close to the office building. My dad was the postmaster for about 20 years(PDYoung) I graduated Logan Hi in 1952. Anyone left out there from the 40s &
Early 50,s?
Paul Young
Regarding the 1935 photo,according to
WV Culture website, WV Coal & Coke sold
to Chrysler, which would bring a car down to
Omar for people to see. Show & Sale.
The company use to pay 50 cents to get
their cars washed.
Sorry, copying photos is discouraged because some are copyrighted. Besides, you can always see them by visiting this website and by doing so, you will also see the ones added since your last visit. If you want to share any of our photos on Facebook, you can do so by using the Facebook Share Button. I am glad you enjoyed the photos and thank you for visiting.
I recognized my father, Carl Kane, in picture # 31. He told us so many stories of growing up in Omar during the depression. His father, William “Red” Kane was killed in the mine and his mother died several years later. He and his sister, Nelle Kane continued to live in Omar and she was a school teacher. Evidently, she was not much of a cook, because my father ate dinner with different families. When we would visit Omar, he would point out the houses where he ate and say, I had goulash on Monday there, and spaghetti there, etc. He was always grateful for the generosity of the people of Omar as he felt he was raised by the village, and he carried that generous spirit with him through life and reached out to many people who needed a hand. He left Omar with the Sheehan brothers to enlist in WWII and never returned there to live, but we always visited every year until my Aunt Nelle died. Thank you for sharing these photos.
Carl and Nell were friends of our family. In fact, if I remember correctly,Nell and our family traded houses. She lived alone in a 3 bedroom house and we had a two bedroom with the five of us. Good memories.
He may have taught there after he graduated from Marshall. I know he met my mother when they both were young teachers at Logan High. He also taught at Chapmanville in 1954. Our family left West Virginia that summer.
Carl Kane did teach Civics at Omar and he dated Nan Murphy who was also a teacher there. Mr. Kane was my home room teacher and even visited my home to talk with my Dad.
I don’t mean to seem rude, but you misspelled the name of the brothers who enlisted in the army with your Dad. The correct spelling is Shaheen, and their family owned and operated a store first in Superior Bottom, and then in Omar for many years. If I’m not mistaken; their family immigrated from Lebanon, along with the Abraham’s, Solomon’s, and Rushden’s(?). I was aquatinted with Norman Shaheen who lived at Cow Creek. I’m not sure if he was one of the guys your father enlisted with or not?
I was born in Omar in 1937. My parents, Hyatt & Lucille Martin were very close friends of the Winegardners. My brother, Charles, was madly in love with Virginia Winegardner. We lived across the tracks from them, House 505. I left Omar shortly after graduating in 1955. I knew all the Mays, Wanda especially. Ted and my father plus Cecil Bays, John Porter, and many of the Coal Miners at #5 mine would hang out on our front porch in the evenings telling tall tales about their fishing and hunting trips. Once in a while, the pint would be passed around and the stories would really get hot and heavy. Ha. It was such a different life back then. Sometimes, I wish it back. I thank you for the wonderful pictures you have here. Dorothy Martin Fields Newcastle, California.
Thank you Aunt Dottie ! I feel like I know more about you & Mammaw & Omar from before I was born. I feel the need to visit Logan every 4-5 years at least.
I noticed that my cousin Kathy Laux submitted pictures. I was born in 1943 in Omar and left at 18. I visited in 2001 and both houses I lived in were gone. Loved seeing picture of No. 5 Tipple where my grandfather worked. His name was Ted Winegardner
As I remember, Ted and his wife lived in one of the left row of houses near Omar as you head toward Pine Creek. My sister Wanda Mays worked at the Chauncey store and spent much time after work at their home waiting for my brother to walk her home at Pine Creek. They were great people.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR PICTURES, THEY BROUGHT BACK SO MANY MEMORIES, I’M FROM UPPER OMAR (1945 — 1963) LIVED THERE. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE MORE PICTURE IF YOU HAVE ANYMORE!
My Mom’s family was from there. She was born there in 1944 and left around 1962. Her maiden name was Rose Mary Culkar before she got married. Unfortunately she passed away in 2010 from cancer. Had a brother named Herman, Sisters Theresa and Irene. Had a third sister that I don’t recall the name of who was killed before I was born. Was curious if you knew the family.
Enjoy so much
Anyone have photos or information about Colane Cottage? Is it still there?
Hi Jennifer! After a search on the yellow pages, I can confirm that Colane Cottage from Omar is out of business. I do not know if the building is still there, though. Perhaps a google search may bring you to some pictures from the cottage. Carlo
I was told when I attended Omar Junior High School that Omar was named after one of the major coal operators in the area, and used the initials in anagram form. For example the coal company initials would be RAMO; which would stand for R. A. Mining Operation, and as an anagram OMAR. I’m just not sure what the initials R.A. stand for? This would make more sense than the town being named after the middle name of one of the men who bought land and mineral rights in the area. Just down the road from Omar there’s the small community of Micco; which is the shortened form of the coal company in that area, which was the Main Island Creek Coal Operation. If anyone else has heard this version of how Omar was named; please let me know! Thanks from an Island Creeker!
Omar is located in mountainous country with narrow bottom lands. During pioneer times the main transportation was by foot and horseback along paths by the waterways and through the woods. In the 1880s and 1890s distant investors bought large tracts of land for the timber. Clinton Crane, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and James Omar Cole, of Peru, Indiana, the namesake for Omar, paid $260,000 for 37,000 acres around the area where the town of Omar is located. (Cole Porter, a well-known songwriter, was the grandson of James Omar Cole.)
Sorry, Doug Cline got some erroneous info on OMAR. He needs to realize that answer was in the “Pre-Google” era. NOT easy access to historical data like that! Pretty simple for me to “Google” it and get the same background our other friend, Doug, got. Recognize just how “spoiled” we are today! I CAN confirm that you are correct on the naming of MICCO. Don’t think any more of our “mining camps” were able to keep it that easy.
Doug, could you look at the bridge photo
above in the 8th row # 3.
What would the black hose on the
side of the bridge been used for?
Also was there a name for this type
of bridge used by the coal company?
Bob, I’m unclear as to which photo you mean. Can you give me the “image number” for it? When I view the 3rd picture in the 8th row of first page of the Omar photo gallery (image #31), it is a picture of several school children.
Doug, sorry you can’t find the
bridge.
I was able to find the info online.
Douglas Cline, R.A. could mean Rail America.
Website is http://www.railamerica.com.
Thanks for posting the R.A.as it helps me
with a 90 year old photo that I have with
those letters on a jacket worn by my
Uncle Paul Tarkany.( 1905- 1962 )
He lived in Monaville, WV. & was a
wonderful basketball player.
I am curious to know if anyone remembers Jessie Dillard Pultz and family. Jessie Dillard Pultz (1900-1979) was the second child of Joseph Scott Pultz (1874-1937). He was born in Hartsook Shop, Rockbridge County, and at age 17 was working on the family farm. He graduated from the Dunsmore Business School in Staunton, VA, in 1922, and went to work in the office of the Omar Mining Company in Logan, WV, about 190 miles west of Rockbridge County. There he met and married, in 1924, Lula Lee Davis (1906-1988). They had three daughters, Charlotte Christine Pultz Christian (1927-2011), Frances Jean Pultz Dettor (1931-1985), and Janet Louis Pultz Ritz (1931-living). They also had a son, Billy Joe Pultz (1926-1926), who only lived two days. Jessie died and is buried in Omar, WV. I have about ten pictures of them.
Kirk, this website welcomes all
photos of people who lived in
Logan County WV.
Hope to see your family photos
soon on this site.
Thanks. Jessie is my first cousin, twice removed. I’ve never been to West Virginia, maybe I’ll get there someday. I live in northern Virginia.
Kirk,by posting your photos
someone might recall the
family.
Interesting! Kirk, you have a lot of detailed family data. Assume you’re related and referencing some strong source. Funny, I was thinking of that family just a couple of weeks ago—could not “pull up” any names! NOW, my memory is jogged. No doubt, you’re talking about what I knew as The Shorty Pultz family— very well-respected Omar folks. I knew two of the daughters as Jean and Janet. Wondered what happened to them. I grew up about 5-6 houses from them as I lived there from 1933 til 1950 when I left for college. Girls were a year or two ahead of me. I’d be very receptive to any other info you might access. Appreciate!
I got the info off Ancestry originally. The photos I have were in my grandmother’s photo book. I am related. Jessie is a first cousin, twice removed. He is the nephew of my great-grandfather. I just got in touch with his granddaughter, my third cousin. The oldest daughter, Charlotte, died in 2011. One of the twins, Francis Jean, died in 1985. The other twin, Janet, is still with us at age 89.
Thanks, for all the info. Any idea where Janet lives? I hope not in a nursing home ( NOT funny!).
Charlottesville. She is on Facebook.
I’m Charlotte daughter, My g parents raised me. I live in Tennessee, retired RN
I lived in Sandy Bottom , before that I lived in Pine Creek, went to Omar school then to Logan graduated 1958. moved after graduation to Ohio. I love all my good memories of my friends and school and neighbors in Sandy Bottom. Carole Perry Rautio.
Does anyone remember the Culkar family?
My Mom was born in omar in 1944 and lived there until around 1962. Unfortunately she passed away from cancer in 2010. I would love to find out where they lived or anything else if anyone knows so I may visit the area to see where she grew up. Her name was Rose Mary Culkar before getting married. She had a brother named Herman. She had 3 sisters. One named Theresa and other named Irene. The 3rd sister was killed before I was born and I don’t remember her name. Unfortunately my mom’s brother Herman and sister Theresa passed away from cancer within a few months of her and I have no way to contact the last living sister. Anything you can tell me will be much appreciated. Thank you.
Patrick, you can find your Culkar family
at familysearch.org.
1940 census shows a Joe Culkar,
born in 1894 in Breck Yugoslvania.
He died in 1967 In Logan & is buried
in Highland Memory Gardens.
He was a coal miner in Omar.
His father was Anthony & mother
was Theresa.
Frances was born in 1936 &
Herman in 1940.
thank every one put on write up cliff
I went at Omar school there in about 1954 and on to Logan school Clifford and sister also Opal after ward Irene Donna Marcella from Sararsh ann we know a lot there
I lived on Cow Creek. I attended Omar Jr High from 1973 thru 1976. I’m looking for a picture of the Omar Booster Team Logo. We didn’t have one when I was there but I’ve been told that they adopted one later on.
If I can find it in my photos I’ll send it to you. I attended Omar Junior High and Elementary School from the 1st to the 9th grade; so I have so many wonderful memories from my time attending there. The logo was of a man holding a megaphone and a banner with the team name Omar Boosters on it…..the name Boosters meant an enthusiastic supporter!
I was born and raised in Chauncey, about a mile from Omar. Went to Omar Jr High the year before they moved to the new building in Chauncey in 1965 my 9th grade year. I remember walking the railroad tracks from Chauncey to Omar to get groceries from the company store across from the Jr High school. My sister lived in Pine Creek. I would love to hear from anyone who went to school there from 1963-1964. Also remember seeing the movie “Bambi” when it first came out at the Omar theatre. Good times. I had 11 brothers and sisters. Go Mountaineers!
roger west born stirrat went to omar jr high 63 64 home room teacher mrs royce other teachers mr and mrs dickerson mr glenn coach savage i remember great times at that school
I lived in Micco and attended Omar grade school (starting in 4th grade) then on to Junior High and Logan High School, class of 1956. My father was a coal miner and I have wonderful memories of my childhood. Loved seeing the picture of Russell Royce and my teachers shown in the Community Church photo. Thanks to all that contributed.
My Father, Yates Blevins, was born in Omar in 1918. His Father, John Edward Blevins, also worked in the coal mines in Omar and other areas in and around Logan, WV. John Edward Blevins’ brother Leo, and his father Meredith, are pictured in the “Tipple Crew – WV Coal & Coke Corp. Oman, WV, Mine #4, 9-11-1939” picture posted on this site.
Regarding Mr. James Harrison’s Tipple Crew – WV Coal & Coal Corp., Omar, WV 9-11-1939 picture, my great-grandfather, Meredith Blevins, is in the top row, 5th person from the left. Meredith’s son, Leo Blevins, is on the first row, 2nd from left.
Perhaps somebody from Omar, WV can help me with something. I came across an old Boy Scouts Eagle Scout medal and certificate awarded to one Milton Sutherland from Omar, WV in early 1942. I have been entirely unsuccessful in finding anything out about the guy. Anybody know anything about him?
Dave, Anywho.com shows lots
of people living in the area of
Logan with last name of Sutherland
& phone # , maybe you can call to
find out if they are related to Milton.
Dave, the 1969 phone book on this
website shows a Guy Sutherland living
in Omar. Also shows a Sutherland
Flower Shop in Logan.
That flower shop is another Sutherland family
Bob, I thought that I had answered your query but apparently I did not do it correctly. Here goes:
Milton(Buddy) Sutherland lived on “Front St ” in Lower Omar . His dad was Guy Sutherland
who was a buyer for WVC&C and worked in the Omar offices. Buddy was a graduate of
Va. Tech. His brother was Donald Gene Sutherland, also a Tech grad, who became renouned
as a nuclear waste expert. To my knowledge they are both dead.
Paul, your query was, does anyone
know anything about Milton Sutherland?
Vern Wilson gave you the info.
Dave, seemed to have a malfunction about the time I was ready to send the info on the Omar Sutherlands. Please tell me it was received!?!
My name is Vern Wilson. Lived my first 18 years in Omar, from 1933 to 1951. LHS grad in ’50. The Guy Sutherland someone mentioned was an exec with the Coal Company. He had two sons,Guy Milton and Donald Gene. Guy was the Eagle Scout whose info was found. Both he and Don were engineering grads of Virginia Tech. Ironically, Guy ended up in Houston, where I am, and an exec with Tennessee Oil & Gas. He had married Dianna Steele, a close neighbor on Front Street in Omar. Don(many called him Gene) became a sought-after expert in atomic waste disposal. We remained close friends over all the years. He died 5 or 6 years ago while living in Sacramento, CA
I did not know you but saw your Mom at one of Jack’s college games. I convinced Ben to stop by your Mom’s in Switzer and they both loved the visit. She asked that he not stay away so long and he promised to visit again and she passed away the following year. Quite a lady!!
Freda, how nice! When I saw the ROYCE name, I thought of Benny..I MUST have met you somewhere along the line. Would love to have an update from you all. Last I remember, was “indy-somewhere”–maybe Indianapolis? Thank goodness, my MOM died before brother Jack,at age 52 in 1988.
It was Indy, then San Antonio for two years Brooke Army Hospital, then Morehead to get Ben’s BS, a teaching job in Rising Sun, IN 1961 until retirement in 1991. Ben passed away in 1995. I stayed in Rising Sun until my father passed away 2000 and bought a house in Mount Pleasant, SC, after realizing they have “Seasons”, I sold and headed south to Fort Myers Beach until three years ago. I am back home in Rising Sun. We were living here when Jim Riffe called about Jack. No child should go before the parents. She loved her “boys”. I called Helen and Jim’s number over a year ago and learned she had passed away and he was living with a son (maybe FL?? – not sure) Johnny Wayne and his wife live in Cincinnati and we share emails (political – Hee Hee). They visited me on FMB and have owned or may still own land in the adjoining county. I knew your wife, Dolores, when she worked at LHS. This is really long but Ben and I had a wonderful life and I have good memories. I don’t know how long I will have the memories but I feel Blessed. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and I enjoyed reading a response from one of the Omar good boys. There were many – good people!
I grew up in Omar close to the office building. My dad was the postmaster for about 20 years(PDYoung) I graduated Logan Hi in 1952. Anyone left out there from the 40s &
Early 50,s?
Paul Young
Regarding the 1935 photo,according to
WV Culture website, WV Coal & Coke sold
to Chrysler, which would bring a car down to
Omar for people to see. Show & Sale.
The company use to pay 50 cents to get
their cars washed.
Love these old pics. I grew up at sarah ann in the sixties as a child. I remember some of these. Thank you again for sharing.
My aunt and uncle, Jimmie Gail and Granville, Justice..
Wonderful pictures, brings back such good memories. Thanks for sharing.
Loved seeing the pictures. I can remember going to the old mercantile and the theater, as a child. We lived in Monaville.
loved seeing this very much,,,, but now how can i remove all these pictures thank you ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Sorry, copying photos is discouraged because some are copyrighted. Besides, you can always see them by visiting this website and by doing so, you will also see the ones added since your last visit. If you want to share any of our photos on Facebook, you can do so by using the Facebook Share Button. I am glad you enjoyed the photos and thank you for visiting.
Does anybody remember Virginia Oliver her mother was Mertie Oliver andshe gad a sister named Minnie?
I recognized my father, Carl Kane, in picture # 31. He told us so many stories of growing up in Omar during the depression. His father, William “Red” Kane was killed in the mine and his mother died several years later. He and his sister, Nelle Kane continued to live in Omar and she was a school teacher. Evidently, she was not much of a cook, because my father ate dinner with different families. When we would visit Omar, he would point out the houses where he ate and say, I had goulash on Monday there, and spaghetti there, etc. He was always grateful for the generosity of the people of Omar as he felt he was raised by the village, and he carried that generous spirit with him through life and reached out to many people who needed a hand. He left Omar with the Sheehan brothers to enlist in WWII and never returned there to live, but we always visited every year until my Aunt Nelle died. Thank you for sharing these photos.
Carl and Nell were friends of our family. In fact, if I remember correctly,Nell and our family traded houses. She lived alone in a 3 bedroom house and we had a two bedroom with the five of us. Good memories.
April FB me please
Did Carl teach at Omar ? My 9th grade teacher was a Carl Kane
He may have taught there after he graduated from Marshall. I know he met my mother when they both were young teachers at Logan High. He also taught at Chapmanville in 1954. Our family left West Virginia that summer.
Carl Kane did teach Civics at Omar and he dated Nan Murphy who was also a teacher there. Mr. Kane was my home room teacher and even visited my home to talk with my Dad.
Carl Kane, Was my “home room teach.” 1948-49, will never forget him!
I don’t mean to seem rude, but you misspelled the name of the brothers who enlisted in the army with your Dad. The correct spelling is Shaheen, and their family owned and operated a store first in Superior Bottom, and then in Omar for many years. If I’m not mistaken; their family immigrated from Lebanon, along with the Abraham’s, Solomon’s, and Rushden’s(?). I was aquatinted with Norman Shaheen who lived at Cow Creek. I’m not sure if he was one of the guys your father enlisted with or not?
I was born in Omar in 1937. My parents, Hyatt & Lucille Martin were very close friends of the Winegardners. My brother, Charles, was madly in love with Virginia Winegardner. We lived across the tracks from them, House 505. I left Omar shortly after graduating in 1955. I knew all the Mays, Wanda especially. Ted and my father plus Cecil Bays, John Porter, and many of the Coal Miners at #5 mine would hang out on our front porch in the evenings telling tall tales about their fishing and hunting trips. Once in a while, the pint would be passed around and the stories would really get hot and heavy. Ha. It was such a different life back then. Sometimes, I wish it back. I thank you for the wonderful pictures you have here. Dorothy Martin Fields Newcastle, California.
Thank you Aunt Dottie ! I feel like I know more about you & Mammaw & Omar from before I was born. I feel the need to visit Logan every 4-5 years at least.
I noticed that my cousin Kathy Laux submitted pictures. I was born in 1943 in Omar and left at 18. I visited in 2001 and both houses I lived in were gone. Loved seeing picture of No. 5 Tipple where my grandfather worked. His name was Ted Winegardner
Gloria Leigh (Davis) O’Dell
As I remember, Ted and his wife lived in one of the left row of houses near Omar as you head toward Pine Creek. My sister Wanda Mays worked at the Chauncey store and spent much time after work at their home waiting for my brother to walk her home at Pine Creek. They were great people.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR PICTURES, THEY BROUGHT BACK SO MANY MEMORIES, I’M FROM UPPER OMAR (1945 — 1963) LIVED THERE. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE MORE PICTURE IF YOU HAVE ANYMORE!
Hilda Fay Colliver lived up pine creek . Was your dad name Pete And Mother Ethel?
My Mom’s family was from there. She was born there in 1944 and left around 1962. Her maiden name was Rose Mary Culkar before she got married. Unfortunately she passed away in 2010 from cancer. Had a brother named Herman, Sisters Theresa and Irene. Had a third sister that I don’t recall the name of who was killed before I was born. Was curious if you knew the family.