General Articles.
By Dwight Williamson Fires have always taken their tolls on historical sites in Logan County, including two Logan County courthouses. However, two significant fires of interest which some people will remember occurred at very historical sites: the Aracoma Hotel in November of 2010, and the Chafin Building (formerly known as the Guyan Valley Bank) also […]
Fires change course of Logan’s history Read More »
Scrip – Coal Miners Money In the early days of coal mining, the miner became indebted to the company for everything from food and housing to the tools necessary to perform his job. He could draw scrip as an advance against his wages. The Company built houses which were rented to their employees and general
Coal Company Scrip Read More »
By Dwight Williamson When you are talking about the history of Logan County, West Virginia, in reality you may also be speaking of the history of Cabell County and the Commonwealth of Virginia. So, when one is describing the events prior to 1823, such as the first white settlers in the Guyandotte Valley, or the
The Creation of Logan County Read More »
By Dwight Williamson “It is my land and my corn—why can’t I do with my crop whatever I please?” For years— before, during and after Prohibition— mountain people asked that question of its government, virtually to no avail. With the Appalachian mountain region always lending itself admirably to the making of moonshine, and Devil Anse
Death of the Hatfield brothers Read More »
By Dwight Williamson With Halloween just around the corner, I am reminded of times past when danger lurked on nearly every roadway in Logan County during this time of year. Thank goodness, everybody now seems to have their cell phones and other gadgets to keep themselves occupied, and perhaps that helps to keep people out
Halloween escapades of the “Porch Sitters” Read More »
By Dwight Williamson The years from 1920 through 1932 should be of great historical significance to Logan Countians and the names of Chafin and Hatfield figure prominently during this time period when political control of the county meant everything to its leaders. The Prohibition era, which lasted from 1920 until 1933, caused more problems than
The end of the Hatfield political dominance Read More »
By Dwight Williamson A stringent look into the history of Logan County will reveal that from 1924 until 1932 two of Devil Anse Hatfield’s sons pretty much ruled the county, but it should be pointed out that the “dynamic duo” really was just following up on the practices of their predecessor, Sheriff Don Chafin, who
A stringent look into the history of Logan County Read More »
By Dwight Williamson At one time or another, most Logan Countians have walked right by a piece of history that was placed in downtown Logan to forever honor perhaps the county’s most historical figure—Princess Aracoma. The memorial, which stands on the northeast corner of the Logan County courthouse across the street from McCormick’s Department store,
Finding Princess Aracoma Read More »
By Dwight Williamson Originally placed at the Logan Courthouse in 1928, the Doughboy monument was moved to Midelburg Island in 1964. World War I was titled as a “World War” for good reason, as it was indeed a war involving many nations, costing millions of lives and included many West Virginians who were quick to
Monumental efforts gave us our ‘Doughboy’ Read More »
By Dwight Williamson This was originally published in the Logan Banner on July 30, 2014 and is republished here with the author’s permission and our special thanks. A Logan Banner story which appeared April 23 of this year concerning the historic cemetery located on High Street in Logan featured the grave site of one of
Spiritually reuniting Logan’s pioneer couple Read More »