Welch, the county seat of McDowell County is approximately seven miles north of Coalwood.

McDowell County Courthouse.

The movie Matewan (www.imdb.com/title/tt0093509) deals with Mingo County, West Virginia, in the 1920s. (Mingo County is just to the west of McDowell County.)  Matewan tells the story of coal miners, struggling to form a union, who are up against company operators and gun thugs.  One of the people portrayed in the movie was Police Chief Sid Hatfield.  It's interesting to note that Hatfield was murdered inside the courthouse pictured above in August 1921.

The movie October Sky had its first showing in McDowell County on September 30, 2005 (yes, 2005!) at this theater in Welch.

Elkhorn Creek flows through Welch. This creek eventually flows into the Tug Fork (not shown) which also flows through Welch.

About half way between Welch and Coalwood, looking towards Coalwood.