The Greenbrier, WV

Place: The Greenbrier, WV
Weather: Partly Cloudy, 49/69F
Route: From Matewan 144 miles east on US-52 S then I-64 E.

Significance: From the coal town of Matewan we drive a few hours to a luxury resort built by the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad in 1913.  A railroad that made much of their profits transporting coal from places like Matewan, just at the same time that those miners were fighting for basic rights.  It's not just any resort though. Twenty-six presidents have visited here.  In the 1950's a bunker was created under the resort that would have housed congress in the event of an all-out nuclear war with Russia.  Although the current resort was built in 1913, people have been visiting the are for it's springs since 1778. The golfer Phil Mickelson now hawks Greenbrier residences on national TV.
Website: The Greenbrier.

Image:

The Greenbrier Hotel (from linksmagazine.com)

Video:

Fun episode of Small Town Big Deal about The Greenbrier