Richard is an unincorporated community in Monongalia County, West Virginia, United States. In 1903 the West Virginia Coal Company established what would become the Richard Mine to fuel 75 beehive coke ovens previously constructed at the site. Stephen B. Elkins acquired the mine three year later. Coal and coke from the Richard Mine was initia…Richard is an unincorporated community in Monongalia County, West Virginia, United States. In 1903 the West Virginia Coal Company established what would become the Richard Mine to fuel 75 beehive coke ovens previously constructed at the site. Stephen B. Elkins acquired the mine three year later. Coal and coke from the Richard Mine was initially transported via the Morgantown and Kingwood Railroad, which was owned by Stephen B. Elkins at the time, before being transferred to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad for delivery to the steel mills at Sparrow's Point near Baltimore.