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TRANSPORTATION
In the 1700s, explorers,
traders and settlers entered the area through gateways such as the Seneca
or Shawnee trails. By the early 1800s, the Norfolk & Western Railway
made its way to the area when the lines were extended up the East River
from Glen Lyn, VA. Today, Norfolk Southern is a leader in rail transportation
nationwide, and Bluefield remains an important route in the railroad's transportation
of coal to major ports.
The Bluefields are easily accessible
via interstate highways and other modes of
transportation. Shipping can be handled either by the United Parcel Service, Federal Express or any of
eight motor freight carriers.
| POPULATION
2000 Census
| Bluefield, WV |
11,451
|
| Bluefield, VA |
5,078
|
| Mercer County |
62,980
|
| Tazewell County |
44,598
|
|
|
HOUSEHOLDS
| Mercer County |
25,390
|
| Tazewell County |
17,410
|
PER CAPITA INCOME(avg.)
| Mercer County |
$17,607 |
| Tazewell County |
$16,556 |
|
|
DISTANCE TO OTHER CITIES
| Charleston, WV |
105 miles
north
|
| Beckley, WV |
51
miles north
|
| Bristol, VA/TN |
70 miles
southeastt
|
| Winston-Salem, NC |
120
miles south
|
| Charlotte, NC |
172 miles south
|
| Pittsburgh, PA |
292 miles north
|
| Roanoke, VA |
96 miles east
|
|
CLIMATE
The valleys of the region range from 1,900 to 2,700 feet above sea level.
The surrounding mountain ridges are from 2,500 to 4,700 feet. The high elevation
provides the area with a pleasant summer, a colorful spring and fall and
cold winters.
Average
| January |
38.00 degrees
|
| July |
80.00 degrees
|
| Rainfall |
40.30 inches
|
| Snowfall |
36.80 inches |
|
RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS
| Christian Denomination |
85 (Protestant) |
| Catholic |
1 |
| Synagogue |
1 |
| Other |
3 |
|
IMPORTANT NUMBERS
| Utilities |
|
| Appalachian Power |
800.982.4237
|
| Bluefield Gas Company |
304.327.7161
|
| West Virginia American Water
Co. |
800.685.8660
|
| Frontier, A CitizensCommunications
Company |
304.325.1400
|
| Comcast Communications |
304.325.0591
|
| Bluefield, WV |
|
| City Manager (ext. #221) |
304.327.2401
|
| Police Department |
304.327.6101
|
| Fire Department |
304.327.8652
|
| Sanitary Board |
304.325.3681
|
| Bluefield Transit Authority |
304.327.8418
|
| Development Authority of Mercer
County |
304.487.2896
|
| Bluefield Rescue
Squad |
304.327.7171
|
| Bluefield, VA |
|
| Police Department |
276.326.2621
|
| Fire Department |
276.326.1360
|
| Rescue Squad/Ambulance |
276.326.2621
|
| Town Manager /Town Hall |
276.322.4626
|
| Tazewell Administrative Offices |
276.322.3433
|
| Tazewell County Economic Development
Office |
276.988.7541
|
HISTORY
The Bluefield area traces its early origins
back to 1780 when two pioneers, Andrew Davidson and Richard Bailey built
a fort here to protect their families from hostile Indians. The area remained
relatively undeveloped and consisted mainly of farmland until the early
1880's when industrialism came to the area following the
discovery of high quality coal in nearby Abbs Valley,VA.
The discovery of coal brought with it the
development of the Norfolk & Western Railway. Bluefield, VA was originally
called Pin Hook and later Harmon. Graham preceded the name Bluefield, honoring
the late railway surveyor, Thomas Graham. In 1914 the name Bluefield was
voted to close the economic and social ties between the two adjoining communities.
"Nature's Air Conditioned City"
serves free lemonade when the temperature reaches 90 degrees. The two Bluefields
share a strong history that will bond their businesses and communities well
into the next millennium.
EDUCATION
Quality education at all
levels is a top priority. The Bluefield area is proud to offer quality facilities
and curricula that prepare the young and older citizens for the future.
Bluefield has eleven primary and
secondary schools, two four-year colleges and several schools
for specialization.  Bluefield
College and Bluefield State College are in Bluefield, with Concord
University located nearby in Athens, WV. National College,
Southwest Virginia Community College (Tazewell, VA), Mercer County
Technical Education Center (Princeton, WV) and Valley College
of Technology (Princeton) also offer quality educational opportunities.
Bluefield College offers post graduate degrees
through an association with Averett College and West Virginia University
and Marshall University offer Master's Degree programs in business through
Bluefield State College. Valley College of Technology in Princeton is an
alternative college offering short-term business, office and computer training. |