Meet Molly at the Elkhorn Inn and Theater

Empire Coal and Coke ‘Miner’s Clubhouse’ Source

The former town of Landgraff, located in McDowell County, WV, was a mining town under the operation of Empire Coal and Coke Company. In 1922, the coal company built a multi-story brick ‘Miner’s Clubhouse’ to replace two wooden buildings that had burned down. Over the years, this building would go through many different incarnations. According to the Elkhorn Inn website, the building was used in the 1940′s as housing for miners’ families. In the early 1950′s it was privately owned but became the office and residence of a mine supervisor and his family in 1957. Throughout the 1960′s and 1970′s, it was used as office space for Hawley Coal. In 1988, it became home to a company called Data Services. In the 1990′s, it was owned by Billie Cherry and known as the Cherry-Key Inn. At one point, it even served as a dormitory for nurses, and later as a State Police barracks. 

As the town of Landgraff suffered from population decline, fires, and at least two devastating floods in 2001-2002, the old clubhouse was left as the only substantial historic structure in town. And, it almost met a similar fate, as it was slated for demolition. Luckily, two FEMA relief workers, Dan and Elisse Clark, purchased the building, spent a year renovating it, and opened it in May 2003 as the Elkhorn Inn and Theater. 

Today, the Elkhorn Inn is a haven for tourists coming to the southern coalfields for trail-riding, trout fishing, and ‘rail-fanning,’ as the inn is located along both the Elkhorn Creek and the NS Pocahontas line. There’s also a variety of weekend getaway packages, gourmet meals provided by Chef Dan, and wonderful views of the fall foliage throughout Autumn. The Elkhorn Inn, which has 14 guestrooms, is also a stop on the Coal Heritage Trail, and is the only attraction on the trail that offers both dining and lodging options. On the first floor, in an area that was originally a coal camp doctor’s office, is the inn’s museum and gift shop, where you can learn about the history of the building, the town, and the coal mining history of Southern West Virginia, and then take home a unique souvenir to remember it by. 

Since Dan and Elisse took over the inn, it has been featured on numerous television shows and in several books….including two GHOST books! That’s because the old inn is believed to be haunted by a spirit known affectionately as ‘Molly.’ 

During the initial renovations to the Elkhorn Inn, the Clarks, as well as other workers and friends, would hear strange sounds, including what sounded like shattering crystal and banging wood. Lights would turn on by themselves, and paintings removed themselves from the walls. 

Many who spent time in the inn claimed to feel or even SEE the spirit of a woman that Dan named Molly. Molly is an adult female, who is seen wearing either a long dress and button-up boots, or a blue blouse with her hair done up in a bun. Several psychics have confirmed that there is a female presence that calls the inn home. Luckily, Molly is a benevolent spirit who seems to watch over the inn. She prefers to make her presence known to staff and family, but on rare occasions, she has let paying guests know she’s around. Once, she rattled the doorknob in a guestroom two nights in a row!

The Elkhorn Inn Facebook page has several photos they believe may be Molly trying to manifest, and there have been paranormal investigations/events conducted most notably by local ghost hunter, Mark Painter. One such investigation led to strange noises being captured in the former doctor’s office/current gift shop. And, while it doesn’t give a name, a Facebook post about the hauntings suggests that a ghost hunter also received a spectral massage while staying at the inn!

The next time you’re in the southern coalfields of West Virginia and are looking for spooky opulence that’s also pet friendly, stop in at the Elkhorn Inn. You might even get an in-room spectral spa treatment! 

Sources and Further Reading:

Elkhorn Inn and Theater Website

Elkhorn Inn and Theater Facebook Page

Mark Painter’s Blog (Signs of Ghosts)

The Railroad Connection—this guest post by Elisse gives a beautiful account of how she and Dan fell in love with each other, and fell in love with the Elkhorn Inn. It’s a great account of the building’s known history, how they acquired it, and the work they put into it. 

Ferris, Gina. Sleeping Where Ghosts Dwell: Southeast. Amazon Link

Davis, Deborah. Some Things Go Bump in the Night: Haunted Hotels, Inns, B&B’s, and Restaurants. Amazon Link 

Source: http://theresashauntedhistoryofthetri-state.blogspot.com/2024/10/meet-molly-at-elkhorn-inn-and-theater.html