Discover Rhodell

Rhodell combines a rich coal mining history with a location at the confluence of two creeks. The town is in southern West Virginia, in the Hatfield & McCoy region and near the New River Gorge region. When planning your trip, it’s useful to distinguish Rhodell itself from the wider area: some references concern the town’s history and the confluence, while others relate to waterways and recreational opportunities around Rhodell and Amigo or in the broader region.

Rhodell and Its Mining History

Rhodell and Amigo originated as coal mining settlements in the 19th century. Rhodell is in the Winding Gulf coalfield region and was laid out in 1907. The town was named after I. J. Rhodes, a prominent coal entrepreneur in the region; its original name was Rhodesdale. These milestones give the town’s history several points of reference: the founding of the settlements, the laying out of Rhodell, and the origin of its name.

In 1918, the Rhodell Coal Company opened a mine at the southern end of town, also known as Stonecoal Junction. Two coal mines were operating simultaneously at opposite ends of Rhodell. The mining history thus includes both a specific site in the south and the documented account of mines at both ends of town.

The E. C. Minter Coal Corporation was founded in Rhodell in 1921. Also in 1921, the E. C. Minter Coal Company opened the Francis Mine in Rhodell. Together, these dates mark the same year for a company’s founding and a mine’s opening. They add another chapter to the industrial history, alongside the earlier milestones of 1907 and 1918.

Another historical point of interest is the New Salem Baptist Church in Tams, near Rhodell. The church was built in the Gothic Revival style and first opened its doors in 1921. Its name, architectural style, and opening year make it a distinct part of the region’s history, alongside the mining sites and developments in the coal companies.

Location, Waterways, and Recreational Activities

Rhodell is located at the confluence of Tommy Creek and Stonecoal Creek. The Rhodell and Amigo area also includes Tommy Creek, Stonecoal Creek, Winding Gulf, and the Upper Guyandotte River among its waterways. The confluence is a specific location reference for Rhodell; the other waterways relate to the wider area.

North of town, nearby along Winding Gulf Creek, is the Burning Rock ATV Trail System. Its location is a distinct outdoor attraction for the region; operating conditions may change. Check current conditions locally before planning an activity there.

Rhodell is on Highway WV-16. Check current road conditions when planning your trip. In the broader region, economic development supports trout fishing on the Guyandotte River. This reference concerns the wider area around Rhodell, not the town alone.

For the Rhodell and Amigo area, an EPA report from June 2024 noted that documented inadequate wastewater conditions affect recreational opportunities such as trout fishing and ATV trail use. Keep this local notice in mind when planning, and check current water and trail conditions locally. Regional support for trout fishing on the Guyandotte River and the report on Rhodell and Amigo refer to different geographic areas.

When choosing your destination, it’s therefore helpful to distinguish Rhodell’s mining history, the waterways in the Rhodell and Amigo area, and recreational opportunities in the wider region.

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