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Nestled in the scenic hills of Mercer County, West Virginia, Bramwell is a small town with a big history. Just eight miles north of Bluefield and seated 2,300 feet above sea level, Bramwell once boasted the highest concentration of millionaires per capita in America. The town’s remarkable past is intricately tied to the coal boom of the late 19th century, where its fortunes grew as black gold—coal—was discovered in the region.

A Town with Wealthy Origins

Originally known as "Horse Shoe Bend" due to the shape of the surrounding Bluestone River, the town was renamed after its most notable resident, J.H. Bramwell. A civil engineer from New York, Bramwell served as the town’s first postmaster and helped lay the foundation for its development. Incorporated in 1888, the town quickly transformed from a remote settlement into a thriving financial hub, largely due to the discovery of coal in the Pocahontas Coalfields.

By the 1890s, Bramwell was at the center of one of the most lucrative coalfields in the world. Coal production in the area stretched over 40 miles and employed more than 100,000 miners. The Norfolk & Western Railway facilitated this growth, with 14 trains stopping daily in Bramwell to transport the valuable resource.

The Bank of Bramwell: A Financial Powerhouse

At the height of its prosperity, Bramwell’s wealth was concentrated in the Historic Bank of Bramwell, founded in 1889 by James Mann and his cousin I.T. Mann. This bank quickly gained a reputation as the wealthiest bank per capita in the nation, solidifying Bramwell’s place as the financial center of southern West Virginia.

Stories of the town’s wealth are legendary. It was said that Henry Wade, the bank’s janitor, routinely carted leather bags filled with money down the town’s brick-paved streets to the local train depot—a vivid testament to Bramwell’s affluence.

A Haven for Millionaires

By the early 20th century, Bramwell was home to as many as 17 millionaires, with their mansions still standing as architectural testaments to the town's opulence. These early millionaires owed their fortunes to the coal industry, which boomed thanks to the fertile coal seams of the Flat Top field. With 38 active mines in the region by 1895, Bramwell became a hub of commerce, finance, and high society. The opulent homes that still dot the town today were symbols of the coal barons' success.

The Great Depression and the Decline of Bramwell

Like many other boomtowns across America, Bramwell’s fortunes began to wane as the Great Depression took hold in 1929. The Bank of Bramwell, which had once been the lifeblood of the town, was not immune to the financial hardships of the era and eventually closed its doors. With the decline of the coal industry and the financial struggles of the nation, Bramwell’s era as a millionaire's haven came to an end.

Preserving Bramwell’s Legacy

Today, Bramwell is best known for its historical significance, with many of the mansions and structures preserved as reminders of its gilded past. The town’s history has been thoroughly documented, most notably in Martha Jane (Williams) Becker’s book, Bramwell - The Diary of a Millionaire Coal Town. This book, based on research by Dwight W. McCormick and his students, offers an in-depth look at the first century of Bramwell’s history.

Bramwell’s unique legacy is also reflected in small, fascinating details like its three post offices (Bramwell, Freeman, and Cooper) that once operated simultaneously within the town. And though J.H. Bramwell left the town for Switzerland, where he eventually passed away, his name remains forever etched in the town’s history.

A Visit to Bramwell Today

While Bramwell’s days as a hub of wealth and commerce may be in the past, its rich history makes it a fascinating destination. Walking through the streets of Bramwell today feels like stepping back in time, with stately homes and historic landmarks preserving the town’s storied legacy. Visitors can explore the impressive homes of coal barons and learn about the rise and fall of this once-thriving community.

West Virginia ranks number three as the most poverty-stricken state in the US today, which is a far cry from the late 1800s. Bramwell may no longer be home to the nation’s wealthiest residents, but its legacy as the town of millionaires lives on through its history, architecture, and the stories of those who once called it home.