June 1934

First homesteader families move into Arthurdale

The first 50 homesteader families began moving into Arthurdale in June 1934. About half were miners, one-quarter were sawmill workers, and one-quarter were farmers. Although Eleanor Roosevelt wanted the community to reflect the racial and immigrant diversity of Scotts Run, opposition from the selection committee and prospective white residents prevented integration, and the first families selected were white.