Nestled away in the hills of southern West Virginia is the tiny town of Williamson.

Inside the town itself  is the historic Coal House, which has attracted visitors from every state in the union and more than 20 countries.

Tug Valley Chamber of Commerce President Wes Wilson has welcomed folks from Australia, South Africa, Romania, Canada and Norway is the short time he has headed up the organization.

What makes this iconic landmark in the Billion Dollar Coalfield so unique is its structure. It is built of coal.

“Speaking of structural support, the overall weight of 65 tons is something that has ended up playing a role in the building existing as long as it has in time,”  Wilson said.

Over the years, including the devastating 1977 flood, Williamson has suffered structural damages to several buildings and homes which have been shifted off their foundations or even collapsed due to the powerful waters, but because of its immense weight the Coal House has never left its foundation.

The structure has survived not only flooding through the years but a fire which occurred on Columbus Day 2011.

How did  it not burn to the ground?

Every couple years the historic building receives a weather coating to the outside. It’s a clear version of a driveaway sealer, which ironically, was done just days before the fire.

Wilson said that saved the building.

“Although the interior of the building was destroyed, the shell of  the building remained intact,” he said.

The building has always been home to the Chamber of Commerce since its inception in 1933. It has housed several agencies over the years. A local Boy Scout troop was based in the building, along with a local branch of the American Red Cross and a credit union.

The Coal House is a daily reminder of the deep, rich history of coal mining in southern West Virginia and eastern Kentucky and how it helped shape Appalachia.