Salt Shaker Press: The history of Burner, West Virginia

The history of Burner, West Virginia, is closely tied to the Pocahontas Lumber Company. In 1903, the company established a sawmill and logging camp on the west fork of the Greenbrier River, and the community of Burner grew up around it. The company built houses, a school, and a store for its workers, and Burner became a thriving community.

The Pocahontas Lumber Company was a major player in the West Virginia timber industry in the early 20th century. It cut millions of board feet of timber each year, and its products were shipped all over the country. The company also played an important role in the development of Pocahontas County. It built roads and bridges, and it helped to attract other businesses to the area.

The Pocahontas Lumber Company closed its sawmill in 1930, and the community of Burner began to decline. However, some people remained, and the community has survived to the present day. Today, Burner is a small unincorporated community with a population of about 100 people.

The Burner Homeplace, a historic house built by Allen Craig Burner in 1885, is one of the most notable landmarks in the community. The house is now a living museum and pottery studio.

The Burner family has been in Pocahontas County since the early 1800s. Rev. Abram Burner, the progenitor of the Burner family in the county, settled on the Upper Tract in the early 1800s. His children included George, Jacob, Adam, Henry, and Daniel.

George Burner was a prominent citizen of Pocahontas County. He served as a member of the county court and represented the county in the Virginia Legislature. He was also a Jacksonian Democrat and a secessionist during the Civil War.

Jacob Burner settled in the western part of the state, while Adam Burner married Margaret Gillespie and settled in upper Pocahontas. Daniel Burner married Jennie Gillespie, sister to Margaret.

The Burners were among the first settlers in the Cass area. In 1885, Allen Craig Burner built the Burner Homeplace, which is now the oldest house in the Cass Historic District. The Burner Homeplace was originally the center of a large tract of land owned by the Burners, but it was sold off in lots as the C&O Railroad and the timber mill arrived in Cass for the industrial boom in the early 1900s.

The Burners played an important role in the development of the Cass area. They were involved in the timber industry, the railroad, and other businesses. They also held positions in local government and education.

Today, the Burner family is still active in Pocahontas County. Allison Flegel, a descendant of the Burners, operates the Burner Homeplace as a living museum and pottery studio.

Here are some additional facts about the history of Burner, West Virginia:

In 1915, the Burner post office was established.
In 1920, the Burner Community Club was founded.
In 1923, the Burner Community Church was built.
In 1924, the Burner Volunteer Fire Department was founded.
In 1932, the Burner School closed.
In 1950, the Burner post office closed.
The Pocahontas Lumber Company was a major player in the West Virginia timber industry in the early 20th century. Founded in 1899, the company built a sawmill and logging camp in Burner, West Virginia in 1903.
Opens in a new window www.pocahontaspreservation.org
The company cut millions of board feet of timber each year, and its products were shipped all over the country. The Pocahontas Lumber Company also played an important role in the development of Pocahontas County. It built roads and bridges, and it helped to attract other businesses to the area.
Opens in a new window wvhistoryonview.org
The Pocahontas Lumber Company closed its sawmill in 1930, but the company's legacy continues to this day. The Burner Homeplace, a historic house built by Allen Craig Burner in 1885, is now a living museum and pottery studio.
Opens in a new window www.burnerhomeplace.com
The Pocahontas Lumber Company played an important role in the history of West Virginia and Pocahontas County. The company's sawmill and logging camp helped to develop the region's economy and infrastructure. The company's legacy continues to this day through the Burner Homeplace, which is a popular tourist destination and a reminder of the region's rich history.