An Abandoned Power Plant Deep in Appalachia
Located deep in Appalachia, somewhere in the remote hills of West Virginia, sits the remains of a massive, abandoned power plant. Krystal and I ventured into this structure on a chilly March morning shortly before we moved to Colorado.
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A bit of history
This power plant was originally opened in 1903 to provide power to the region’s coal mines. The coal-fired power plant produced 4,000 KW and was supplied directly by a nearby coal mine.
In 1910, two large hydroelectric dams were built in the area. These new power-generating stations could produce electricity for the mines at a much cheaper rate than the coal-fired power plant. During this time, the power plant was put into a reserve status in the event that the transmission lines from the hydroelectric power plants were to fail.
In early 1918, the building was partially destroyed by a fire but was quickly rebuilt. The power company was acquired in 1925 and was used for its adjoining power substations and for storage until 1997.
From what I gather it has sat abandoned ever since.
Exploring the plant
Upon entry into the structure, you find yourself in a massive room. This would’ve been the hall that contained the turbines. This massive hall once contained two 2,000 KW Parsons turbo-generators and one 3,000 KW Parsons turbo-generator.
Located along the ceiling of the turbine hall is an old crane that would’ve been used to move some of the heavy equipment that was once here. I, of course, could not resist climbing up to get a closer look.
The old crane in the turbine hall.
In a small adjoining room to the main turbine hall we came across some old instructions for CONELRAD emergency broadcasts.
CONELRAD was an emergency broadcasting system established in 1951 by Harry S. Truman. The purpose of the system was to provide a way to alert the American public in the event of an attack during the Cold War. This system was later replaced by our current-day emergency broadcast system.
continuing on through the structure we came across the remains of what I assume would be the old offices for the power plant.
Enjoy abandonment and decay?
Are you like me and enjoy the sort of abandonment and decay that’s featured here? Then you’ll likely enjoy my ongoing photography project Forgotten America.
Attached to these offices is the staircase that leads up to the second floor. Continuing up the stairs you come to the remains of the power plant’s control room.
From the control room you can also see the adjoining substation. I’m not 100% certain, but I believe that this substation may still be in use today.
