Bluefield

Bluefield is a city in Mercer County in southern West Virginia that spreads through valleys and over ridges of the Appalachians. Streets climb and descend along hillsides, while houses stand at different elevations across the slopes.

Railroad companies built stations and depots in the late 1800s, turning this place into an important hub for coal transport. The tracks still run through the valleys today, connecting the city with other regions of the Appalachians.

The name recalls the wild blue flowers that appear on surrounding hills each spring. Local musicians often play on small stages downtown, where you hear fiddle and banjo sounds.

Hiking trails and routes for off-road vehicles start near the city, allowing direct access into the forested mountains. The elevation brings cooler temperatures, so a jacket is advisable even in summer.

Rock layers around the city contain fossils of sea creatures that lived here millions of years ago when the region was underwater. Some stones show clearly visible imprints of shells and other organisms.

Location: Mercer County

Elevation above the sea: 795 m

Part of: New River and Greenbrier Valleys

Shares border with: Bluefield

Website: http://cityofbluefield.com

GPS coordinates: 37.26222,-81.21861

Latest update: December 5, 2025 16:37