Category Archives: Mountain State Monday

Oct 7

Mountain State Monday: Nuttallburg

I apologize that most of my posts reference the Summersville/Fayetteville/Pocahontas areas but I can’t help myself — those counties are my favorite and if I had the resources to pack up and move to one of them, I would do it in a heartbeat.  However, I do try to visit them and share with you their treasures as often as possible.  Like today, for example, as I share with you the long-forgotten mining town of Nuttallburg.

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The restored tipple at Nuttallburg

Located along the banks of the New River lies what is left of the once thriving mining town of Nuttallburg.  In recent years, the National Parks Service undertook a massive project restoring the tipple and conveyor belt as well as installing interpretive signs for the public.  The road to Nuttallburg is a curvy, narrow gravel road that is accessible via Route 60 through the small town of Winona (brown National Parks Service signs will guide you).  Once there, you may explore the tipple or take one of the many trails to see the former company store, coke ovens, or even ascend to the top of the mountain to the mine opening.  If you’re a geocacher, there is also a Nuttallburg Earth Cache that makes the trip extra worth it.  Actually, the way I discovered Nuttallburg in 2012 was because of the Earth Cache; Jon and I were planning a geocaching trip in the area right after the cache was posted and we were some of the first geocachers to visit.  Talk about a new experience!

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The conveyor belt at Nuttallburg ascends up the steep mountain to the mine opening. A switchback trail will take you to the top.

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There are many coke ovens in the area, some in tact and some crumbled. Many have the entrances grown up, like this one.

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A view of the Company Store foundation at the end of the coke oven trail.

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Near the Company Store at the end of the trail is a large oven with its dome still intact. While it is tall enough for adults to enter, please be careful as it could fall at any moment.

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There are many interpretive signs in the area, like this one that shows the layout and trails. When you’re driving down to Nuttallburg, just remember to keep driving — I promise that you will get there, eventually.

 Becuase of the current government shutdown, the NPS website for Nuttallburg is not accessible at this time.  However, the links below provide an excellent history and overview on the town.  Please be advised that there is limited to no cell service in the area; use caution when driving to and from Nuttallburg, as the road is narrow is and not always wide enough for two vehicles.  Otherwise, enjoy your visit Nuttallburg! 🙂
My WV Home: Old photographs of Nuttallburg
Coal Camp USA: Pictorial History
New River WV: Guide to Nuttallburg hiking trails

Until next time,
Sara (WV Travel Queen)

Sep 30

Mountain State Monday: Handcrafted With Care

I’m going to guess that if you’ve ever cooked in a kitchen, that you’ve used a kitchen utensil for stirring or flipping.  And chances are, at some point in time, you’ve used a wooden spoon to stir or strain, correct?   What if I told you that some of the country’s best wooden utensils are made right here in West Virginia?  And what if I told you that you can take a tour to see the process from beginning to end?  Pretty neat, right?

There are dozens of artisans in West Virginia who specialize in crafting wooden utensils by hand.  Among these artisans is master artisan duo Stan and Sue Jennings, owners of Allegheny Treenware in Preston County.  At Allegheny Treenware, a team of skilled woodworkers take blocks of wood and transform them from dull and lifeless slabs into a functional work of art.  The process is completely handmade from the first cut of wood to the wood-burned logo on each piece.  The company has a full line of products to choose from, including spoons and spatulas to knives and tongs to butter dishes and bowls.  Each item is thoroughly checked for consistency and defects, ensuring only the highest quality products are available for sale.

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A sign inside the Allegheney Treenware studio in Preston County

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Every spoon starts out similar to this; a general form cut out of a block of wood. It then goes through a series of shaping stations and sanders to achieve its final look.

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Can you believe this is the same piece of wood in the picture above? The final step for each piece is to let it soak for 24 hours in this special mixture. This allows the wood’s true color to shine through and it seals and protects it.

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A small gift shop is located inside the studio with a wide variety of products.

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These Heart Straining Spoons are a favorite of mine!

Allegheny Treenware’s products can be found at specialty retailers nationwide, including West Virginia artisan retail outlet Tamarack: The Best of West Virginia in Beckley.  Studio tours are by appointment only and may be scheduled by calling (304) 892-5008 or 1-866-279-7526.  For more information on Allegheny Treenware and to view their full product line, please visit their website at http://alleghenytreenware.com/.

Until next time,
Sara (WV Travel Queen)

*Note:  This post is not sponsored or endorsed in any way; I am simply a fan of Allegheny Treenware’s products and wanted to showcase them with my followers.