Historians from West Virginia State University are seeking historical information about the Wolf Creek plateau area in central Fayette County, particularly the 1,000-acre Wolf Creek Park development between Oak Hill and Fayetteville, West Virginia.
According to Billy Strasser, a spokesman for the New River Gorge Trail Alliance, the team is conducting a research project and field survey to understand the historic uses of the property and document interesting qualities and features.
"Historically, this plateau area supported farm communities, so stories and information about farm families, agricultural methods, and farm organizations are of great interest," Strasser said.
"The area was also owned and mined by the Berwind Coal Company, and many folks in the Wolf Creek area likely worked in the coal mines or were connected to mining one way or the other. The team hopes to hear their stories and learn more about how the plateau was impacted by mining."
The trail alliance is requesting that anyone with information, photographs, or anecdotes about Wolf Creek Park contact Michael E. Workman at mworkman2@wvstateu.edu or the National Coal Heritage Area Authority at 304-465-3720.
Wolf Creek Park is a mixed-use development for housing, business development, and outdoor recreation for the New River Gorge region, Strasser said.
The team will incorporate the information in a report that will help guide development and management of the area.
This study is funded in part by the National Coal Heritage Area Authority, which preserves, protects, and interprets lands, structures, and communities associated with the coal mining heritage of southern West Virginia.
The study is being overseen by the New River Gorge Trail Alliance, a nonprofit organization that seeks to create a regional trail system and has acquired funding to build new trails in Wolf Creek Park.
