Williamson, West Virginia
Encyclopedia
Williamson is a city in Mingo County
, West Virginia
, USA, along the Tug Fork River
. The population was 3,414 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat
of Mingo County
, and is the county's largest and most populous city. Williamson is home to Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College. The Tug Fork River
separates Williamson from South Williamson, Kentucky
.
Williamson is the site of a large rail yard
built by the former Norfolk and Western Railroad (now Norfolk Southern Railway
), which was built to service the many coal mines of the region. The city is protected by a floodwall, completed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1991 in response to a devastating flood
along the Tug Fork River in 1977. The wall incorporates floodgate
s along major access points which, when locked, form a solid barrier against floodwaters. There have only been two uses of the gates thus far: the first occurring in 2002 during a major flood in the region, and the second occurring in 2003, when only two lower lying gates were closed in anticipation of rising water levels.
The local economy is largely fueled by coal mining, transportation, health care and retail.
Williamson was incorporated in 1892. Most historians believe that Williamson was named in honor of Wallace J. Williamson. He owned the land where Williamson now stands, earned a fortune in real estate investments in the area, and founded the city's first bank and its first hotel. Others claim that the city was named for Wallace's father, Benjamin F. Williamson. He owned most of the land in the region before dividing it among his sons.
Williamson grew rapidly once the railroad connected into the town. Its population, just 688 in 1900, jumped to 6,819 in 1920 and 9,410 in 1930.
. In July 1987, former resident Mike Sisco, a young gay man who had HIV/AIDS, returned to Williamson to be with his family, and went to the town's public swimming pool, causing other residents to flee the pool in fear. The city then closed the pool. Oprah Winfrey
held a town hall meeting
during which local residents expressed their feelings about AIDS and homosexuality
with great vehemence. The episode, which aired on November 16, 1987, became one of the The Oprah Winfrey Shows most memorable. In September 2010, Winfrey returned to Williamson for a followup program, during which several residents apologized to Sisco's sisters (he had died in 1994) for their hateful remarks and lack of Christian compassion 23 years before. Several residents and their opinions had not changed since Oprah's first visit to the town.
of 2000, there were 3,414 people, 1,566 households, and 903 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,022.6 people per square mile (394.7/km²). There were 1,892 housing units at an average density of 566.7 per square mile (218.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 83.51% White, 13.65% African American, 0.38% Native American, 1.00% Asian, 0.29% from other races
, and 1.17% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.91% of the population.
There were 1,566 households out of which 24.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.0% were married couples
living together, 15.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.3% were non-families. 40.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.11 and the average family size was 2.85.
In the city the population was spread out with 20.0% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 26.2% from 45 to 64, and 21.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 82.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $19,635, and the median income for a family was $35,893. Males had a median income of $36,250 versus $20,291 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $15,303. About 22.1% of families and 28.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 39.5% of those under age 18 and 18.2% of those age 65 or over.
Williamson is located at 37°40′26"N 82°16′47"W (37.673936, -82.279613).
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 3.3 square miles (8.7 km²), all of it land.
. The city experiences hot, humid summers and mild, cool winters. January is the coldest month and July is the warmest.
The Coal House
, whose walls are constructed from 65 tons of bituminous coal
from the nearby Winifrede Seam, serves as the headquarters of the Tug Valley Chamber of Commerce. It was built in 1933 and is on the National Register of Historic Places
. In October 2010, the interior of the Coal House was destroyed in a fire. Plans are underway for its renovation.
The Williamson Field House is a 6,000 capacity facility that is home to the Williamson High School
Boys' basketball team.
The Hatfield–McCoy Trails, a popular network of ATV
trails, run through the mountains surrounding the city, with numerous trailheads in and around the Williamson area.
Each year, in June, as many as 500 distance runners from around the United States and several foreign countries descend upon Williamson for the Hatfield-McCoy Marathon
. Beginning in South Williamson, Kentucky, the race ends in the midst of the annual Hatfield-McCoy Reunion Festival in downtown Williamson.
Mingo County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 28,253 people, 11,303 households, and 8,217 families residing in the county. The population density was 67 people per square mile . There were 12,898 housing units at an average density of 30 per square mile...
, West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
, USA, along the Tug Fork River
Tug Fork River
The Tug Fork is a tributary of the Big Sandy River, long, in southwestern West Virginia, southwestern Virginia, and eastern Kentucky in the United States. Via the Big Sandy and Ohio rivers, it is part of the watershed of the Mississippi River....
. The population was 3,414 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Mingo County
Mingo County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 28,253 people, 11,303 households, and 8,217 families residing in the county. The population density was 67 people per square mile . There were 12,898 housing units at an average density of 30 per square mile...
, and is the county's largest and most populous city. Williamson is home to Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College. The Tug Fork River
Tug Fork River
The Tug Fork is a tributary of the Big Sandy River, long, in southwestern West Virginia, southwestern Virginia, and eastern Kentucky in the United States. Via the Big Sandy and Ohio rivers, it is part of the watershed of the Mississippi River....
separates Williamson from South Williamson, Kentucky
South Williamson, Kentucky
South Williamson is an unincorporated town in the Appalachian Mountains of northeastern Pike County, Kentucky, borders with West Virginia. It is separated from Williamson, West Virginia by the Tug Fork River. The town is located 23 miles east of Pikeville, Kentucky and 28 miles southwest of...
.
Williamson is the site of a large rail yard
Rail yard
A rail yard, or railroad yard, is a complex series of railroad tracks for storing, sorting, or loading/unloading, railroad cars and/or locomotives. Railroad yards have many tracks in parallel for keeping rolling stock stored off the mainline, so that they do not obstruct the flow of traffic....
built by the former Norfolk and Western Railroad (now Norfolk Southern Railway
Norfolk Southern Railway
The Norfolk Southern Railway is a Class I railroad in the United States, owned by the Norfolk Southern Corporation. With headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia, the company operates 21,500 route miles in 22 eastern states, the District of Columbia and the province of Ontario, Canada...
), which was built to service the many coal mines of the region. The city is protected by a floodwall, completed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1991 in response to a devastating flood
Flood
A flood is an overflow of an expanse of water that submerges land. The EU Floods directive defines a flood as a temporary covering by water of land not normally covered by water...
along the Tug Fork River in 1977. The wall incorporates floodgate
Floodgate
Floodgates are adjustable gates used to control water flow in flood barriers, reservoir, river, stream, or levee systems. They may be designed to set spillway crest heights in dams, to adjust flow rates in sluices and canals, or they may be designed to stop water flow entirely as part of a levee or...
s along major access points which, when locked, form a solid barrier against floodwaters. There have only been two uses of the gates thus far: the first occurring in 2002 during a major flood in the region, and the second occurring in 2003, when only two lower lying gates were closed in anticipation of rising water levels.
The local economy is largely fueled by coal mining, transportation, health care and retail.
History
Williamson grew rapidly once the railroad connected into the town. Its population, just 688 in 1900, jumped to 6,819 in 1920 and 9,410 in 1930.
1987 AIDS scare incident
Williamson gained a degree of notoriety in the 1980s in the wake of an incident that made the national news, leading to an hour-long examination on The Oprah Winfrey ShowThe Oprah Winfrey Show
The Oprah Winfrey Show is an American syndicated talk show hosted and produced by its namesake Oprah Winfrey. It ran nationally for 25 seasons beginning in 1986, before concluding in 2011. It is the highest-rated talk show in American television history....
. In July 1987, former resident Mike Sisco, a young gay man who had HIV/AIDS, returned to Williamson to be with his family, and went to the town's public swimming pool, causing other residents to flee the pool in fear. The city then closed the pool. Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey is an American media proprietor, talk show host, actress, producer and philanthropist. Winfrey is best known for her self-titled, multi-award-winning talk show, which has become the highest-rated program of its kind in history and was nationally syndicated from 1986 to 2011...
held a town hall meeting
Town hall meeting
A town hall meeting is an American English term given to an informal public meeting. Everybody in a town community is invited to attend, not always to voice their opinions, but to hear the responses from public figures and elected officials about shared subjects of interest. Attendees rarely voted...
during which local residents expressed their feelings about AIDS and homosexuality
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
with great vehemence. The episode, which aired on November 16, 1987, became one of the The Oprah Winfrey Shows most memorable. In September 2010, Winfrey returned to Williamson for a followup program, during which several residents apologized to Sisco's sisters (he had died in 1994) for their hateful remarks and lack of Christian compassion 23 years before. Several residents and their opinions had not changed since Oprah's first visit to the town.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 3,414 people, 1,566 households, and 903 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,022.6 people per square mile (394.7/km²). There were 1,892 housing units at an average density of 566.7 per square mile (218.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 83.51% White, 13.65% African American, 0.38% Native American, 1.00% Asian, 0.29% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.17% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.91% of the population.
There were 1,566 households out of which 24.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.0% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 15.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.3% were non-families. 40.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.11 and the average family size was 2.85.
In the city the population was spread out with 20.0% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 26.2% from 45 to 64, and 21.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 82.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $19,635, and the median income for a family was $35,893. Males had a median income of $36,250 versus $20,291 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $15,303. About 22.1% of families and 28.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 39.5% of those under age 18 and 18.2% of those age 65 or over.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 3.3 square miles (8.7 km²), all of it land.
Climate
Williamson's annual climate is one of the warmest in the entire state, classified with a humid subtropical climate, common with most of the Upland SouthUpland South
The terms Upper South and Upland South refer to the northern part of the Southern United States, in contrast to the Lower South or Deep South.-Geography:There is a slight difference in usage between the two terms...
. The city experiences hot, humid summers and mild, cool winters. January is the coldest month and July is the warmest.
Attractions
Coal House (Williamson, West Virginia)
The Coal House in Williamson, West Virginia is a unique building built of coal masonry. The bituminous coal was quarried as blocks and dressed as stone using 65 tons of coal from the nearby Winifrede Seam. At the time of its construction it was the only coal building in West Virginia. The house...
, whose walls are constructed from 65 tons of bituminous coal
Bituminous coal
Bituminous coal or black coal is a relatively soft coal containing a tarlike substance called bitumen. It is of higher quality than lignite coal but of poorer quality than Anthracite...
from the nearby Winifrede Seam, serves as the headquarters of the Tug Valley Chamber of Commerce. It was built in 1933 and is on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. In October 2010, the interior of the Coal House was destroyed in a fire. Plans are underway for its renovation.
The Williamson Field House is a 6,000 capacity facility that is home to the Williamson High School
Williamson High School
Williamson High School was a public high school in Williamson, West Virginia. It closed in 2011.-History:Williamson High School graduated its first class in 1910...
Boys' basketball team.
The Hatfield–McCoy Trails, a popular network of ATV
All-terrain vehicle
An all-terrain vehicle , also known as a quad, quad bike, three wheeler, or four wheeler, is defined by the American National Standards Institute as a vehicle that travels on low pressure tires, with a seat that is straddled by the operator, along with handlebars for steering control...
trails, run through the mountains surrounding the city, with numerous trailheads in and around the Williamson area.
Each year, in June, as many as 500 distance runners from around the United States and several foreign countries descend upon Williamson for the Hatfield-McCoy Marathon
Marathon
The marathon is a long-distance running event with an official distance of 42.195 kilometres , that is usually run as a road race...
. Beginning in South Williamson, Kentucky, the race ends in the midst of the annual Hatfield-McCoy Reunion Festival in downtown Williamson.
Notable People From Williamson, West Virginia
- H. Truman ChafinH. Truman ChafinHarry Truman Chafin is a Democratic member of the West Virginia Senate, USA, representing the 6th District since 1982. He is currently Majority Leader, serving since 1998.-External links:* official government website* profile...
, Democratic State Senator (Majority Leader), attorney - Robert H. "Doc" Foglesong, former President of Mississippi State Univ./ Retired Air Force Four Star General.
Major highways
-
U.S. Route 119U.S. Route 119U.S. Route 119, commonly abbreviated as US 119, is a spur of US 19. It is a north–south route that was an original United States highway of 1926. It is often referred to as Corridor G east of US 23 and KY 80 in Kentucky to Interstate 64 at Charleston, West Virginia.- Kentucky :US 119 is a two... -
U.S. Route 52U.S. Route 52U.S. Route 52 is a United States highway that runs across the northern, eastern and southeastern regions of the United States. Contrary to most other even-numbered U.S...