This site is devoted to recording the history of Rock, West Virginia, a small town located on the waters of the Bluestone River in Southern West Virginia.

As you read through the pages of this site you will learn more about the history of Rock and you will also find some current information on the community.

Established as "The Rock" in Mercer County, Virginia on Sept. 18, 1855. Near the town is a rock cliff, approximately 80 to 100 feet high on Route 71. The town was named after this rock. The first post office and postmaster were also appointed on Sept. 18. 1855.

West Virginia became a state on June 20, 1863 and the town's name was changed from The Rock, Virginia, to Rock, West Virginia on December 15, 1892. Rock settlers built their first church out of logs in 1853. A Methodist church was built first, and called "Old Zion". Each family made and carved their own pew. A Baptist church was built later, between 1914 and 1916. Both churches are at their original locations today.

Rock started as a small community. William O. Keys established the first US. mail route in 1926, using a horse and buggy to deliver the mail. With the coming of the rural route, Rock became a much larger town. At the present there are two rural routes serving nearly 2000 customers. Also a new brick post office was built in 1991.

Rock is located along Bluestone River on State Route 71. Four swinging bridges were built across Bluestone River and a passageway called a ford was made in the river near the post office, so horses and buggies could cross. In 1917, a onelane steel bridge was built across the river near Rock school. It served a useful purpose for many years. The steel bridge was torn down in 1988 and replaced with a new two lane concrete bridge. Work began on the new bridge on February 18, 1988. The new bridge was opened to traffic on November 2, 1988.

Today, Rock is a quiet town with no visable business community. This was not the case in days gone by. At a point in Rock's history there were several thriving businesses in and on the outskirts of Rock. You may not have known about some of these. Visit our "Past Businesses" page to learn more.

There are still quite a few of us around that can remember how Rock was back in the good old days. We think it fitting that we try and preserve the memories we have so that those who follow will know what was and what could be.

One of the reasons that Rock prospered was the Coal in the area that brought the Railroads which in turn brought the people. As far as we know the mines in the immediate area are pretty much worked out and the old Norfolk and Western Rail Line (now Norfolk Southern) is all but abandoned. However the tracks remain to remind us of the days that the Steam Engines rumbled through town bringing in empty cars and taking out loads of black gold. Occasionally cars would be set off or picked up at one of the sidings in Rock. At times the train would stop to drop off and pick up mail and freight.

We still remember the sounds and sights as the train creaked through. Some of Rock's citizens worked for the railroad as engineers, firemen, conductors, brakemen, mechanics and trackmen not to mention others. On many trains that came through these Rock citizen trainmen would blow the engine and cab whistles and wave at relatives and folks they knew along the tracks. Some of the men from Rock who worked on the train were Frank Scott - enigineer, Stewart Parks-conductor, Dee Scott-conductor. Trackmen were Robert Vaughn, Ryan Lawrence, Jr., Gracen Farmer, Kelly Farmer, Sandy Hall, Carson Thomas. Mike Lawrence rode throuh Rock on the Wreck Train many times, he was the Wreckmaster in charge of the train and Wreck Crew out of Bluefield. Dollie Mae remembers waving at him from her front porch.

As you read through these pages, if you have information on any of the businesses included or if you know of businesses that have been ommitted we would like to hear from you.

If you have information about Rock, past or present that you would like to share we would love to include it on this Web Site.

To have your information included please contact the author, Dollie Mae Keys Lawrence with your information and/or photos. You may contact her via her E-mail address which is listed throughout the site or you may write to her at:

Dollie Mae Keys Lawrence
5705 Rock River Road
Rock, West Virginia 24747

To contact us by email click on the link to the editor below:

Email Dollie Mae Keys Lawrence

Check Back Soon For More Updates!

This site was last updated on November 9, 2008

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