Sources:
WV Bureau for Public Health, Health Statistics Center
West Virginia Prescription Drug Abuse Quitline
Tom Hatcher
Mayor of War
McDowell County, West Virginia July 17, 2012
WAR, W.Va. - Tom Hatcher, who has served as mayor of War in McDowell County since 1997, was found dead at his home Tuesday.
No foul play is suspected, but Hatcher’s body will be sent to the state medical examiner for an official autopsy. His body was discovered after he failed to show up for work Tuesday morning.
Hatcher, a retired educator, worked at West Virginia University for several years before moving back to
War in the early 1990s. Upon returning to War, Hatcher began teaching at his alma mater. He was also active in several historical societies and community organizations.
Born in in the McDowell County town of Iaeger in 1939, Hatcher graduated as valedictorian from Big Creek High School in 1958. He earned degrees from West Virginia University and Ohio State before becoming an educator.
Hatcher is survived by three children, a brother, sister and two grandsons.
“I grew up in the ‘60s and there was pot and other stuff, but not like this. Not these soul-taking drugs that people will do anything for.”Marsha Timpson
39%
Oxycodone (Oploid)
Oxycontin, Tylox, Percodan, Percocet, Combunox
28%
Hydrocodone (Oploid)
Loret, Lortab, Norco, Vicoprofen, Vicodin
10%
Alprazolam (Benzodiazepine)
Xanax
“This generation may not see The Promised Land, but their kids might, so that's where we have to focus our efforts.”Ron Serino
I do have to live here the need is great
Ron Serino
My name is Ron Serino, and I have been a firefighter for 54 years. I was born in Nyack, N.Y., and have lived in McDowell County for 15 years. For the past 14 years, I have been a member of the Northfork Community Volunteer Fire Department and serve as lieutenant and safety officer. I was invited to join the Peace Corps in the first 6 months of its inception and built irrigation systems and dug wells in Morocco for 2 years. I enjoy the arts, especially photography, films and music; gardening, cooking, travel and visiting my family in Indiana, New York and Florida.
“I don’t know how I could be the only person within 30 miles that can see what I’m seeing.”Shawn Penwarden
2012
2008
Tourism could be the safety net for this area
Shawn Penwarden
My name is Shawn Penwarden, and I grew up in Pennsylvania but was born in New Jersey. I started working on my uncle’s farm at the age of 12 and haven’t stopped working since. Last summer, we started a ATV and dirt bike parts and repair shop in McDowell County, W.Va. My wife and I see tourism and the ATV industry as a the future of Northfork.
Video shot by ATV rider, Ryan Ramirez. Ramirez traveled with friends from Cedar Lake, Indiana to ride the Hatfield and McCoy Trail in McDowell and Mercer counties.
What tourism have YOU seen succeed?
Filter by:
67% of sewage waste flows into the creeks due to a lack of infrastructure
Some of the largest and healthiest
rainbow and brown trout on the East Coast
“The trout here are wild meaning they reproduce in the stream. They actually do it here rather successfully despite all the abuses.”Tony Wheeler
The trout here are beautiful despite the poor water quality
1357
1940s
1218
1950s
661
1960s
1704
1970s
1053
1980s
762
1990s
383
2000s
Houses Constructed
in McDowell County, W. Va.
Lowest cost for a town sewer line
$7,000,000
Lowest cost for a
single home septic tank
$4,000
“One of things I’d like to bring to McDowell is forward-thinking, and that’s harder to do than we think.”Penni Padgett
U.S. Census Bureau: American FactFinder (2007-2011 Community Survey)
In order to build new homes,we need proper infrastructure
Penni Padgett
My name is Penni Padgett, and I’m originally from Coalwood, W.Va. I moved away from McDowell County when I was 18 years old to attend Marshall University and have lived in Pittsburgh, Pa., and Chapel Hill, N.C. I never thought I’d be back in Southern West Virginia, but after 30 years away, I moved back and accepted a job to build homes with the Council of the Southern Mountains. I think I bring a lot of different perspectives and ideas to the county. The people here are really into coal; I’m not. Coal sent me to college; coal has done tremendous things for my life, but I think coal and being green can go hand in hand.
“This is a tough area to have a business; the population is so small So we all have to pick up a big load here and make it happen.”Harold McBride
We can do nothing and be as we are orchoose to make things happen
Harold McBride
My name is Harold McBride, and I grew up in a hollow in North Welch in McDowell County. Growing up on a poultry farm, where we raised 5,000 chickens, instilled the value of hard work in me. I am currently a county commissioner and the owner of McBride Electrical, a business I started in 1994.Ten years from now I see more housing and new roads coming into McDowell. I’m determined the make McDowell County a better place to live.
“The business here is just so up and down. I would love to just spend the rest of my life right here in this tattoo shop, but sometimes I don’t know if I will be able to.”Darren Blankenship
I don’t want to waste my talent and go to work in the mines
Darren Blankenship
My name is Darren Blankenship, and I live in Panther, W.Va. I graduated from Iaeger High School, which has since been shut down and consolidated, in 2004. I have always loved art and enjoyed drawing, but it wasn’t until I was 21 years old that I became interested in pursuing tattoo art. In October 2011, I opened Iron Worx Tattoo in Welch. Unfortunately, business is slow in McDowell, and I had to close the shop in December 2012 and go back to driving a coal truck. I still plan on pursuing my dreams as an artist in the future.
Due to slow business, Darren closed his tattoo studio and started driving a coal truck in December 2012.
- Back to Start
- When Coal was King
The story of McDowell County, West Virginia is the story of America.
Of boom
and bust economies. Of small towns facing changes beyond their control.
And of challenges
and triumphs of every size.
Explore this corner of America through the stories of over 30 residents who live here today.
Hollow is the story of their home.
Scroll Down
