BLUEFIELD, a rapidly growing city of Mercer county, West Virginia, U.S.A., in the Appalachian mountains on the southern boundary of the State, amid beautiful scenery, at an elevation of 2,600f t. It is served by the Norfolk and Western railway, and by regular motor-bus service as far as Huntington, Asheville and Knoxville. The population increased from 4,644 in 190o to 15, 28 2 in 192o, of whom 2,718 were negroes; and 19,343 in 1925, accord ing to a special U.S. census; and it was 19,339 in i 930. Including the adjoining city of Bluefield, Va., the population of the urban unit in 1925 was Bluefield is the outlet for the Pocahontas coal field, which in 1924 produced 17,143,00o tons, and its growth is due primarily to the development of this field. The nearest mine, however, is from the city. In 1883, when the first shipments of this famous "smokeless" coal were made, the site of the city was covered with the bluegrass fields which gave it its name. Practically all the buildings are new, substantial and modern in type, designed in anticipation of further growth. In a decade over $2,000,00o was spent on public school buildings alone. There is a State normal school for negroes (Bluefield institute). The Concord State nor mal school for white students is at Athens, i8m. away, over a hard surfaced road. Bluefield was incorporated in 1889 and adopted a city manager form of government in 1921.