The Elkhorn Inn in Landgraff, WV will host a “Coal Heritage Trail” weekend in October.An archival photo of the Elkhorn Inn from 1929, when it was the Empire Coal & Coke Co. Miner’s Clubhouse.

Landgraff, WV — A unique, fall “Coal Heritage Trail” weekend, exploring the history of southern West Virginia and Virginia with the historian and author Alex Schust, and including dining and lodging at the historic “Coal Heritage Trail” Elkhorn Inn and signed copies of Mr. Schust’s books, will take place Friday thru Sunday, October 10-12, 2008 (Columbus Day Weekend). The “Coal Heritage Trail Weekend” includes:

• Guided tours of the John Cooper House at Coopers,WV, site of the first coal operator in Southern West Virginia; historic Pocahontas,VA, the first coal mining community in the Southern coalfields, and the Pocahontas Exhibition Mine; and the historic town of Bramwell, WV and the restored Bramwell Train Depot, with lunch at the Bramwell Cafe.
• Visits to the AshlandWV Company Store; the remains of the coke ovens at Gary, WV (once the largest coal operation in the world); and Coalwood, WV, birthplace of Homer Hickam and the “Rocket Boys” of “October Sky” fame.
• Driving the “Coal Heritage Trail”, including the former N&W Railroad North Fork Branch Line that served 12 commercial mining operations; through Elkhorn, WV, where the original post office is still in use; historic Abbs Valley, the site of many Indian raids during the frontier Indian wars, Bishop WV/VA, one of the last coal communities built by a coal operator; and through the historic towns of Welch, Kimball, Keystone, Northfork, Landgraff, Eckman, Kyle, Powhatan, Upland, Maybeury, Squire, Newhall, Cucumber, War, Yukon, Caretta, Havaco, Wilcoe, Maitland, Superior, Big Four, and Vivian, WV.
• Friday evening Welcome Appetizers and Friday and Saturday Dinners at the Elkhorn Inn, the historic “Coal Heritage Trail” Inn built as the Empire Coal & Coke Company’s “Miner’s Clubhouse” and featured on HGTV.
• Friday evening presentation on tour area and coal history by Alex Schust.
• Two nights lodging with Continental Breakfast at the Elkhorn Inn & Theatre.
• Signed copies of Alex Schust’s books “Gary Hollow” and “Coalwood”, and hand-crafted West Virginia souvenirs.

The cost of the complete “Coal Heritage Trail Weekend Package” is only $675.00 + tax per couple. ($495.00 + tax for single occupancy). The minimum tour group for the trip is 10 people; maximum tour size is 25 people! For more information and to make reserervations, call Dan & Elisse Clark at the Elkhorn Inn & Theatre, Tel: 304-862-2031 or 1-800-708-2040. Tour information and photos can be found on the Elkhorn Inn & Theatre website: www.elkhorninnwv.com