Nuttallburg is a small ghost town located along the New River, Fayette County in West Virginia. The town which was started by a prospector, John Nuttall, when he discovered coal mines was abandoned in the 1950s. It was named after the English prospector, John Nuttall (founder member of the town).

Gold mine of Nuttallburg

John Nuttall was a known mine investor with several mines back in Pennsylvania and other towns. Being thirsty for more fortunes, John continued to acquire land across America with hopes of extending his territories. In around 1820, he acquired land along the New River and Kenny's Creek with the anticipation to get first-hand transport from the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad.

By the time the railroad was completed, Nuttallburg had built a mine with the help of his brothers and sisters-in-law. The mine boomed with high-quality coal seams giving birth to a new mine, the Nuttallburg mine in 1874. In total there were three mines in the region, two of them under the management of Nuttallburg Smokeless Company. The mines that belonged to John produced most coal that was transported all over the states and nationwide.

Post World War

By the end of the world war, all the coal mines in Nuttallburg had been exhausted leaving remnants of low-quality ores. Though Nuttallburg Smokeless Company still operated, one of its old mines was closed together with the third mine that wasn’t under its management. The one mine that remained in the town retrenched a chunk of its miners leaving less than 12 who were paid minimum wage.  A great number of the town’s residents left soon as the town began its downward spiral. The rest of the diehard residents who still lived in the town were all forced to seek employment elsewhere when the post office was relocated and the last mine closed in 1958. The mines and the camps were closed down by the owner never to be opened again.

Disowned Nuttallburg

Nuttallburg has been abandoned for more than 8 decades now. The mines, camps, and minor homesteads that the residents of the town once lived in, have been reduced to nothing but concrete ruins. Being in rural West Virginia, the town is surrounded by thick dense forests that are likely to harbor dangerous snakes and animals. The town is currently under the Nuttallburg Coal Mining Complex and Town Historic Districts and is managed by the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. The town is open for tours, bookings and reservations can be done online. Coal fumes and other depressions formed during the mines pose a potential threat to visiting tourists. The old mines provide perfect grounds for hiking and camping.