About Us: Our History & Mission
Coeburn Tool: Dreams Realized
Photo of Coeburn, VA approx. 1930s: attributed to Pinterest Window Candles @RichardStallard
Our dream started in a little town in the middle of nowhere known as Coeburn, Virginia. Once a booming railroad (then coal) metropolis, it was rich with businesses, opportunities, and thriving local communities. Located in Wise County along the Guest River, Coeburn was originally named Guest Station, traditionally thought to be named after Christopher Gist, a land surveyor and explorer for the Ohio Land Company in 1751.
Photo of Town of Coeburn Historical Marker: attributed to J. J. Prats, October 17, 2015 via HMdb.org
Then in 1894, the name was changed to Coeburn in honor of W. W. Coe, Chief Engineer of the N&W Railroad, and Judge W. E. Burns. Since the decline of coal businesses in Coeburn, our city has struggled for new ways to revive the town and induce growth. Various ideas have been suggested and enacted to grow this once flourishing area, especially in terms of tourism and local businesses. Coeburn has invested thousands of dollars into funding community improvements. Countless of restoration projects and new businesses, such as restaurants, breweries, small retailers of books, music, pottery, wine, etc., have been suggested and approved by local councils and boards. Coeburn has even joined forces with neighboring areas to draw in people with annual festivals, year-round ATV routes, and national recreation trails/parks. Though the population of Coeburn has increased, the lack of opportunities and growth could never be more apparent. Many outside of these downtown urban areas have no idea that Coeburn exists, let alone what it can offer. Thus some local residents decided to band together to create Coeburn Tool. Though several years in the making, Coeburn Tool was made official by the launch of the Coeburn Tool website in 2022.
With Coeburn Tool, we hope to increase the knowledge of our town's history and popular landmarks. We hope to spark interest in our area and encourage our supporters to spread what they've learned, maybe even dare them to visit. Our mission is to grow Coeburn Tool and spread the history of our town's humble beginnings in the hopes that our local communities can benefit financially, economically, environmentally and socially. Coeburn has so much to offer, and with Coeburn Tool, we hope to show the world just how true that is.
Photo of Present Day Downtown Coeburn, VA: contributed by local Coeburn resident
Many of our products are designed and/or made in the USA by local artisans. Some of our paracord lanyards are composed from USA made paracord and are hand-woven by St. Paulians (locals who hail from St. Paul, a neighboring town to Coeburn). Our knife & t-shirt designs come from brilliant, Coeburn minds, inspired by popular town attractions, famous local landmarks and the extensive outdoor/knife community. We hope you see just how much Coeburn has to offer.
Coeburn Tool
"Uptown quality with a downtown feel."
Start shopping our products HERE.