Rhodell between mining history and a waterside landscape

Rhodell combines a waterside landscape with a history strongly shaped by coal mining. The town is located in the Winding Gulf coalfield region of southern West Virginia, in the Hatfield & McCoy Region and near the New River Gorge Region. Several interests can shape your vacation planning: local history, waterways, and a nearby ATV trail system. If you are looking for a vacation rental, first consider which of these interests you want to define your stay.

Waterways and regional setting

Rhodell lies at the confluence of Tommy Creek and Stonecoal Creek. In the Rhodell and Amigo area, Tommy Creek, Stonecoal Creek, Winding Gulf, and the Upper Guyandotte River are local waterways. The confluence is a specific landscape feature in town; the other waterways broaden the view to the area around the two communities. To get your bearings on a map, you can start at the confluence and then look at the waterways across the larger area.

From Rhodesdale to the mines

Rhodell and Amigo originated as coal-mining settlements in the 19th century. Rhodell was originally called Rhodesdale, was laid out in lots in 1907, and was named after I. J. Rhodes, a prominent coal operator in the region. The Rhodell Coal Company opened a mine at the southern end of town in 1918, also known as Stonecoal Junction. The E. C. Minter Coal Corporation was founded in Rhodell in 1921. Also in 1921, the E. C. Minter Coal Company opened the Francis Mine in Rhodell. This timeline connects the beginnings of the settlement, its subdivision into lots, and the history of its mines in several specific stages.

Architecture and outdoor interests

Nearby Tams offers another historical perspective. The New Salem Baptist Church is located there; it is a Gothic Revival church that first opened its doors in 1921. Its Gothic Revival style adds an architectural note alongside the names of the mines. If you pay attention to different historical themes when you travel, this look at church architecture complements the coal-mining history with another facet.

Nearby, north of Rhodell, the Burning Rock ATV Trail System is located along Winding Gulf Creek. It is a distinct activity focus for travelers interested in ATV trails; operating conditions can change. An EPA report from June 2024 described inadequate wastewater conditions in the Rhodell and Amigo area that affected recreational opportunities such as trout fishing and the use of ATV trails. Check current water and trail conditions locally before making specific plans.

A regional road route

The Coal Heritage Trail follows a secondary road from Crab Orchard to Beckley via WV-16, or SR16. If you would like to make a drive along a named route the focus of your trip, this route offers a distinct approach to planning your drive.

When looking for a vacation rental in Rhodell, it helps to weigh your interests: should mining history and the waterside setting shape your stay, or the nearby Burning Rock ATV Trail System? This comparison clarifies the kind of setting you want and gives you a concrete starting point for choosing a location.

Discover more destinations

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