Matewan: Replica vs. Authenticity

Williamson is the center of commerce and medicine in the area, but Matewan is probably the center of culture, at least as of late due to the efforts of locals and historians. Matewan is perhaps best known for the massacre bearing its name, which occurred over the right to unionize the mines. Reenactments of the massacre are now actually relatively common occurrences because it is an important chapter in local as well as labor history. Furthermore, efforts have also been focused on developing the rail history in the town into something tangible as well as the development of the town as a service hub as a trailhead for the Hatfield-McCoy Trails.

Our first stop was the old Magnolia High School on the edge of town. It, like Williamson High School, was consolidated into Mingo Central, which is up isolated atop a ridge along a relatively new highway. Though Magnolia seemed much newer than Williamson High School, it seemed sort of ridiculous to close such a seemingly new school. Part of me wondered why the other schools could not be consolidated into this facility. Though, to be fair, the concrete floodwall built around the structure was a little weird—though it had some interesting friezes on it.

Then, into town we visited the Matewan depot replica. They did a masterful job with the replica, unless you knew for a fact it was a replica, you’d never guess. The materials all look to be the right age and the details are all there. Inside the depot is a small gift shop and great railroad-related exhibits. I most enjoyed the artifacts from the Norfolk and Western, but there were some impressive old prints and dioramas as well. I frequently imagine that if I were alive 100 years ago in a coal town like Matewan, because I’m a woman, perhaps working in the station is one of the few jobs (besides nurse or teacher) they might’ve let me have.

Outside the replica depot is an old caboose. Cabooses tend to attract geocaches and this one was no different, but the gentleman working inside the replica depot saw us poking around the caboose and offered to show us the inside of it. We figured it had to have been one of the last cabooses in use because it seemed to have some more modern touches, though we were surprised by the lack of privacy offered by the toilet.

As we concluded the tour of the caboose, we could hear the whistle of a train. The three of us started across the parking lot to get a good view and to see if we could get just the slightest feeling of how it must’ve felt, again, a century or so ago.

Chris waving at the freight train rolling through Matewan