Coal house.

House Made of Coal

Weighing in at 65 tons with 2 ft. thick walls, it's the only coal house made entirely of coal. Built in 1933, it was designed by architect H.T. Hicks from an idea by O. W. Evans. It was constructed from blocks of local seam coal donated by coal companies in the region.

Williamson's coal house doesn't really look like a house -- and no one has lived in it as far as we know. It served for many years to promote the county, and continues as the office for the Tug Valley Chamber of Commerce.

The coal house was gutted by a fire in October 2010, but its exterior survived fairly intact. It was repaired and reopened to visitors in September 2011.

West Virginia has a couple of other Coal Houses.

House Made of Coal

Tug Valley Chamber of Commerce

Address:: 2nd Ave., Williamson, WV
Directions:: Rt 119 to Williamson, cross the big green bridge into town, first stoplight turn right. It's the 3rd building on the right. 2nd Ave. and Court St.
Hours:: M-Sa 9 am - 5 pm, Su hrs start in April. (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Phone:: 304-235-5240
RA Rates:: Worth a Detour

Nearby Offbeat Places

Hatfield-McCoy Love Baby Grave, Burnwell, KY - 4 mi.

Forbidden McCoy Cemetery, Hardy, KY - 6 mi.

McCoy Well and Homeplace, Hardy, KY - 6 mi.

In the region:

Hillbilly Hot Dogs - We Got the Weenies, Lesage, WV - 58 mi.

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