World War Memorial (Kimball, West Virginia)

World War Memorial
Location US 52, Kimball, West Virginia
Coordinates 37°25′31″N 81°30′24″W / 37.42528°N 81.50667°W / 37.42528; -81.50667Coordinates: 37°25′31″N 81°30′24″W / 37.42528°N 81.50667°W / 37.42528; -81.50667
Built 1928
Built by Boone, Eason & Woods
Architect Hassel T. Hicks
Architectural style Classical Revival
NRHP Reference # 93000227
Added to NRHP April 09, 1993[1]

The World War Memorial, also known as the Kimball War Memorial Building, stands on a hill in Kimball, West Virginia. Designed in 1927 by Welch, West Virginia architect Hassel T. Hicks, the memorial was dedicated in 1928 to African-American veterans of World War I. It was the first such memorial to African-American veterans in the United States.<ref ">"Kimball War Memorial Building". Visit McDowell County. Council of the Southern Mountains. 2009-02-06. </ref> The building functioned as a community center in the isolated coal mining region until a fire in 1991, which destroyed the interior.[2] The stone, terra cotta and brick Classical Revival building stood as a ruin for more than a decade until a restoration.[3] The memorial building was listed while still a ruin on the National Register of Historic Places in 1993.[2]

African-Americans represented as much as thirty-five percent of the workforce in McDowell County coal mines, with 1500 volunteering for service in World War I. After a county-funded war memorial was built in Welch, African-American veterans petitioned the county commission for funding, resulting in an appropriation of $25,000 for the building's construction. The completed building housed a hundred-seat meeting room, trophy room, kitchen, recreation center and a library, and was used by local citizens of all races. It was also home to the Kimball American Legion post, which was itself the first African-American Legion post. The building was abandoned in the 1970s. After an abortive proposal to sell the property, studies continued for its restoration until the 1991 fire.[2]

The building was restored in the 2000s (decade) and is used as a community center, winning an Honor Award from the West Virginia chapter of the American Institute of Architects.[3]

References

  1. ↑ National Park Service (2008-04-15). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  2. 1 2 3 Stacy Stone (December 18, 1992). "National Register of Historic Places Nomination: World War Memorial" (pdf). National Park Service.
  3. 1 2 "Kimball War Memorial". Points of Interest. Coal Heritage. 2009-02-06.
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