HISTORY
ALL GONE
March 7 2024
At the confluence of Elk River and Buffalo Creek a local,
historical, landmark was destroyed March 6th and 7th of 2024.
Referred to as the old Newt Bragg place, this "company
house" was one of the last left in County Clay. Adjoining
the Elk River Trail System (ERTS) hiking, biking, horseback
riding trail, the State of West Virginia purchased the
building and property with plans to establish some kind of
welcome center for ERTS. Apparently State plans do not
include any kind of historic draws for tourists coming into
the County.
Mr Bragg's old house has solid/straight hardwood floors and
a dry metal roof. Although it would need a major
restoration, the bones were good right down to the floor
joists. Heck it had a working indoor bathroom!
When they tell us, the place was full of asbestos and lead
paint and "abatement" would be too costly, tell the Suits,
BULL SHIRT. Every historic structure in the world contains
lead paint and asbestos. All those other structures have
been brought back to their glory and serve as a center piece
for tourism draws.
That just above mention reason for tearing the place
down, it ain't true. In this State, a place with no regard
for history, the real reason fro descrution: it's cheaper to
tear history down and replace it with a generic "replica"
Now that's what tourists want to see, fake stuff.
On Wed March 6th, the demolition crew arrived and started
the tear down. It didn't take en long to level the place. By
Wed mid day, most to the American Chestnut wood structure
had been hauled away. Another piece of our past had been
destroyed.
We blame State leadership for their dimly lit thinking based
solely on short term cost instead of long term worth as an
attraction for generations to come. That's what happens when
dumbarss govt workers are put in charge.
Of course, that's what we allow to happen in
this 342 square miles called home. With plenty of notice
given, not one group, not one historical club, not one
individual launched any kind of save our history campaign.
We deserve what we get. And, we just got it broke off
in you know where, sorry no Crisco either. All together now,
all at once, Thank you.
By Friday March 8th, here's what's left of our history and
future as a tourist draw
Thank you State of West Virginia