About the area |
Two senators had the foresight to develop this city and built Victorian mansions overlooking the city as their homes, which are now part of Davis & Elkins College. Towards the end of the 19th century they built the West Virginia Central and Pittsburgh Railway and brought it into Elkins heralding the start of a period of industrial development for the town. As the the 20th century began, coal mines and lumber became significant contributors to the economy of Elkins. Before the end of the decade the town had European-style hotels, opera houses, banks, a YMCA, brickworks, tannery and brewery, Davis Memorial Hospital and Davis & Elkins College. Many people were attracted to the town for its employment, entertainment and business opportunities. By the 1930's passenger train service had begun and the town depot was the scene of many arrivals and departures each day. However with a downturn in business in the 1950's, passenger service ended and when the 1980's came to a close all rail service followed. |