Matewan
Labor Wars
State: West Virginia
County: Mingo County
Founded: 1890s
Abandoned: Declining
Peak Population: Coal town
Matewan was the site of the 1920 Matewan Massacre, when a gunfight between miners and Baldwin-Felts detectives killed 10 people. The event helped spark the Battle of Blair Mountain. The 1987 movie 'Matewan' dramatized the events.
Plan Your Visit
Best Time: Year-round
Difficulty: Easy
Time Needed: 1-2 hours
Quick Facts
- 1920 Matewan Massacre
- 10 killed in gunfight
- Movie 'Matewan' (1987)
Location
Address: Matewan, WV
Coordinates: 37.6167, -82.1667