Blair Footsteps centennial interpretive trail
In late August 1921, as many as 10,000 union coal miners marched south from their mustering place in Marmet, just a few miles from West Virginia state capitol. They brought weapons, and walked the country roads with weary feet or hitched rides on trains and cars—sometimes seizing transport at gunpoint. The miners were determined to break the state of martial law in Mingo County on the West Virginia-Kentucky border, where over a hundred of their union brothers were being held without trial in the county seat of Williamson.
In their path was the anti-union stronghold of Logan County, run by the corrupt Sheriff Don Chafin—and he was not going to let the miners pass through without a fight. What followed was the largest clash of arms between American citizens since the Civil War...
For two weeks around Labor Day Weekend 2021 as part of the Battle of Blair Mountain Centennial, the Blair Footsteps interpretive trail will guide visitors along the route followed by the marching miners one hundred years ago. Beginning near the miners' original gathering place along the Kanawha River, lovers of history can follow the backroads to see six exhibit stations on the route to the battlefield, including Marmet, Racine, Madison, Clothier, Blair, and Logan.
Each station contains both an overview of the battle's events, and an account of some of the events that occurred at each stop along the trail. Photographs and vivid descriptions help visitors place themselves in the footsteps of history. All stations are outdoors and publicly accessible at all hours, rain or shine.
The Blair Footsteps interpretive trail will be open to the public from August 30 to September 11, 2021. Driving the entire route takes only about 1.5-2 hours, so plan some time to walk the path of these monumental events!
In their path was the anti-union stronghold of Logan County, run by the corrupt Sheriff Don Chafin—and he was not going to let the miners pass through without a fight. What followed was the largest clash of arms between American citizens since the Civil War...
For two weeks around Labor Day Weekend 2021 as part of the Battle of Blair Mountain Centennial, the Blair Footsteps interpretive trail will guide visitors along the route followed by the marching miners one hundred years ago. Beginning near the miners' original gathering place along the Kanawha River, lovers of history can follow the backroads to see six exhibit stations on the route to the battlefield, including Marmet, Racine, Madison, Clothier, Blair, and Logan.
Each station contains both an overview of the battle's events, and an account of some of the events that occurred at each stop along the trail. Photographs and vivid descriptions help visitors place themselves in the footsteps of history. All stations are outdoors and publicly accessible at all hours, rain or shine.
The Blair Footsteps interpretive trail will be open to the public from August 30 to September 11, 2021. Driving the entire route takes only about 1.5-2 hours, so plan some time to walk the path of these monumental events!
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Download your brochure!
Download your virtual tour map and directions! LOCATIONS MARMET - Ben Morris Field RACINE - John Slack Park MADISON - Bituminous Coal Heritage Museum CLOTHIER - UMWA Local 2935 BLAIR - Blair Post Office LOGAN - Logan Area Public Library (next to Logan Middle School) Have you seen the exhibit? Leave your feedback here! This project was funded in part by a grant from the National Coal Heritage Area Authority. 
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