Home of John Henry

Carter
Carter
First Reviewer
5 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
2
Reviews
4
Photos

Hinton, WV

  • February 5, 2006
  • Rated 5 of 5 by Carter from Richmond, Virginia
Hinton, WV

This quaint little mountain town is believed to have once been the home of John Henry. At nearby Big Bend Tunnel, the legendary railroad worker beat a steam drill in the early days of industrialization. Peabody, the 'company store' railroad owner mentioned in one the folk songs about John Henry, still owns railroads in this coal-mining area today.
You can take the train to Hinton from scenic Prince and pass right by the infamous Big Bend Tunnel on the way. In the town's historic district, you'll find quaint antique shops, a railroad museum, a charming barber shop and cute little restaurants. The scenery is breath taking.

From journal Finding John Henry, the Real Steel Driving Man

John Henry Monument

  • February 5, 2006
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Carter from Richmond, Virginia
John Henry Monument

This is highly recommended because it's at the tunnel he may have helped dig, home of the famous contest with the steam drill. However, I'm appalled. Really.

John Henry deserves much more than just a statue at his tunnel. Maybe one day there will be more here. and you can go down from the statue to see the original Big Bend Tunnel, but you have to be careful since trains still use the new tunnel right beside it.

A small statue for a huge man, literally and figuratively. Smithsonian, if you're out there, do something for John Henry. I mean, he's the epitome of man vs. machine, working man vs. industrialization....

From journal Finding John Henry, the Real Steel Driving Man

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