The first visitor information center in West Virginia was located at East River Mountain. After a visit to New England, Bluefield resident Sallie Thornhill Stone challenged fellow members of the Little Garden Club to create a welcome center for travelers along US Route 52-21. More than $6,000 was donated by individuals, businesses, civic groups, and the City of Bluefield to construct a prefabricated log structure at a scenic location atop East River Mountain. On October 18, 1960, the visitor center welcomed visitors to Bluefield, “Nature’s Air Conditioned City.” The building displayed West Virginia-made products such as glassware, coal, and coal jewelry. Employees made hotel reservations for tourists, distributed local information, and sold film and soft drinks. Although the visitor center eventually closed because of the opening of the East River Mountain Tunnel, it inspired the construction of other new visitor centers throughout West Virginia.