Historic Time Capsule Abandoned Hotel in West Virginia

Often considered to be the most rural, poorest, and drug-ridden area in America, Appalachia West Virginia has a long history rooted in the coal mining industry, which shaped much of the region's development, including Mullens, West Virginia - which is where the focus of today’s video, the abandoned Wyoming Hotel, is actually located. Most people have probably never heard of Mullens, but it is a small town with a fascinating history. Founded in 1901, Mullens was named after the prominent Mullens family, who were instrumental in its establishment. The town's growth accelerated with the arrival of the railroad, which now facilitated the transportation of exporting coal product and fostered an economic expansion for the small town. By the 1920s, Mullens had flourished as a main coal mining hub, attracting numerous immigrants who came to work the long days in the treacherous mines as the high paying wages were certainly sought after. This created a “melting pot” of various individuals and helped contribute to Mullens early diverse cultural makeup. In 1918, JC Sullivan, a wealthy owner of several local coal mines surrounding the area, decided to build the original Wyoming Hotel in the heart of downtown Mullens, West Virginia. Unfortunately, in December of 1920, a raging fire destroyed much of the original Wyoming Hotel and some of downtown Mullens central business district, but thankfully the community came together and the hotel was quickly rebuilt. The Wyoming Hotel was a true architectural gem designed in the shape of an H and stood nearly 6 stories tall. It was built to accommodate the influx of a steadily increasing population linked to the area’s coal mining industry, which was rapidly expanding in the region at the time. Shortly after the Wyoming Hotel opened, it quickly became a social and economic hub for both locals and travelers, reflecting the prosperity brought about by the coal mining boom. With its elegant facade and ample amenities, the hotel attracted a diverse clientele, including miners, businessmen, and tourists seeking a reprieve from their busy laborious lives. In addition to that, the Wyoming Hotel played host to several famous guests over the years, most notably then-US Senator John F Kennedy, baseball legend Babe Ruth, actor Will Rogers, and other dignitaries. The establishment not only provided lodging but also served as a venue for community gatherings, weddings, and events, which helped provide a sense of camaraderie among the local residents and to anyone that came to stay at the luxurious Wyoming Hotel. Although the hotel was bustling with success for many years, by the late 1970’s declining demand for coal and the newer, cleaner methods of coal extraction led to the regions population collapse as many miners left the Appalachia area all together. As the mining operations diminished, so too did the flow of visitors to Mullens, which of course profoundly impacted the hotel's fortunes and eventually led to the closure of the Wyoming Hotel around 1978. After the historic hotels closure, the area began to fall into a serious decline as the once prosperous mining jobs were slowly being replaced by modernization and even cleaner methods of energy production. With the town's prosperity being so closely influenced to the boom and bust cycles of the coal industry, it should come as no surprise that the Wyoming Hotel has sat abandoned for the past 47 years. As a historically protected structure today, we can only hope that one day it will come back to life, but in the meantime it will continue to stand as a reminder of the areas once rich heritage and resilience, evoking a sense of nostalgia for the vibrant community that once thrived around it. The story of the Wyoming Hotel encapsulates both the economic highs and lows of Mullens, offering invaluable insight into the important impact that coal mining had once brought to the Appalachia region of West Virginia. And that will bring us to the end of today’s video on the once famous and now abandoned Wyoming Hotel. Thank you all for the support.