The history of the Greenbrier Tannery at Marlinton

 

The Greenbrier Tannery at Marlinton was a major industrial complex in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, from the early 1900s to the 1970s. The tannery was founded in 1905 by the United States Leather Company, and it was one of the largest tanneries in the United States at the time. The tannery processed cowhides and sheepskins into leather, which was used to make shoes, belts, and other products.

The Greenbrier Tannery was a major employer in Marlinton, and it helped to stimulate the local economy. The tannery also had a significant environmental impact on the area, as it released pollutants into the air and water.

The Greenbrier Tannery closed in 1970, and the site was eventually abandoned. The tannery buildings have since been demolished, but the site is still contaminated with pollutants.

Here are some additional details about the Greenbrier Tannery:

• The tannery was located on the banks of the Greenbrier River, about 1 mile (1.6 km) south of Marlinton.
• The tannery had a capacity of about 1 million hides per year.
• The tannery employed about 1,000 people at its peak.
• The tannery closed in 1970 due to competition from foreign tanneries.
• The site of the tannery is now a Superfund site, and it is being cleaned up by the Environmental Protection Agency.

The Greenbrier Tannery was an important part of the history of Marlinton and Pocahontas County. The tannery helped to shape the local economy and environment, and it is still a reminder of the region's industrial past.