Elkhorn District High School
In the heart of McDowell County, West Virginia, lies the community of Switchback, a testament to the region's rich coal mining heritage. Established in the late 19th century as a coal mining camp, Switchback was home to generations of miners and their families who toiled in the depths of the earth, extracting coal to fuel the nation's industrial engine.
As coal mining flourished in McDowell County, neighboring communities like Maybeury and Switchback became centers of activity, housing workers and their families in the shadow of the mines. The Shamokin Coal & Coke Co. and the Norfolk Coal & Coke Company operated mines such as the Lick Branch mine, which became infamous for two devastating explosions in 1908 and 1909, claiming the lives of scores of miners due to "operator errors."
Against this backdrop of triumphs and tragedies, the need for education became increasingly apparent. In 1922, local citizens rallied together to pass a bond issue for the construction of a separate high school in the Elkhorn District. Thus, the Elkhorn District High School (EDHS) was born, envisioned as a beacon of learning and opportunity for the children of Switchback and its surrounding areas.
Despite delays in construction, the doors of EDHS finally opened to students on January 8, 1923. With its well-equipped facilities and dedicated faculty, the school quickly became a center of academic excellence and community pride. Under the leadership of Principal L. B. Graybeal, EDHS thrived, nurturing the minds and talents of its students.
Throughout its existence, EDHS was more than just a place of learning; it was a hub of cultural and social activity. The school boasted a vibrant extracurricular scene, including sports teams, a thriving newspaper, and clubs dedicated to music, literature, and the arts. It was a place where friendships were forged, talents were honed, and futures were shaped.
As the school flourished, its small size belied its impressive achievements, with students consistently winning honors and competitions, showcasing the talent and dedication fostered within its halls. Notable alumni such as Guy Farmer, a Rhodes scholar, graduated in 1930, further cementing EDHS's legacy of excellence.
However, economic shifts eventually led to the closure of EDHS in 1953, with its students transferred to Northfork High School. With school integration in 1966, EDHS reopened as a junior high and later converted to Switchback Elementary School. Over time, the building fell into disrepair, culminating in its closure in 2004. The upstairs gymnasium, once a center of activity, gradually deteriorated, ultimately collapsing into the indoor swimming pool.
Today, the abandoned remnants of EDHS stand as a haunting reminder of a bygone era. Nature has reclaimed much of the campus, with ivy creeping up crumbling walls and weeds overtaking once-manicured lawns. Yet amid the decay, whispers of the past still linger. The echoes of laughter and learning seem to reverberate through the empty halls, a testament to the indelible mark left by EDHS on the community of Switchback.
For those who remember, the abandoned school serves as a poignant reminder of the dreams and aspirations that once thrived within its walls. Though the halls may be empty and the classrooms silent, the legacy of EDHS lives on in the hearts and minds of all who walked its halls, forever etched into the fabric of Switchback's history.
