Thousands of African-Americans moved to the region to escape racial problems in the Deep South. And everyone worked together underground. This was one of the few places where blacks and whites were treated the same and could work side by side and get paid the same amount. That s the story we need to tell. If the National Coal Heritage Area is successful, Harpold hopes it will spur much needed economic development in the deeply depressed area.
Some people are cynical.
They don t believe it will work. They can t imagine tourists coming to the area wanting to see decrepit mining towns. But McGehee knows it can work. He s seen it. He s worked with a man from Australia who spends his summer vacation in Bluefield to learn more about the town s history and its railroad past.