Discovering Senator Byrd’s Hometown

The staff at the Byrd CLS have recently started examining Senator Byrd’s large photograph collection in preparation of processing and digitizing these important records. As we delve into each box, new and exciting discoveries are made. Within the past few days, several photographs of Senator Byrd’s hometown, Stotesbury, WV have been uncovered. Located deep in the Appalachian coalfields about ten miles south of Beckley, Stotesbury was founded in the late 19th century by the E.E. White Coal Company. The town was a booming mine camp when Senator Byrd was adopted by his Uncle Titus and Aunt Vlurma Byrd in 1917. As with many coal mining towns in West Virginia, Stotesbury had company housing, a company store, and community buildings such as a recreation hall, school, and churches. 

A postcard showing the coal tipple of the E.E. White Coal Company in Stotesbury

Uncovering these images presents us with the opportunity to see into Senator Byrd’s world and view the environment which he credited with shaping the perspectives which guided his 64-year career of public service. The images seen below have been preserved as part of Senator Byrd’s collection.