Founded in 1922, The Virginia Mountaineer has served as the primary newspaper of record for Buchanan County, Virginia, for over a century. Based in Grundy, the publication was established during a period of significant growth for the Central Appalachian region and has since become a vital chronicler of local governance, coal industry developments, and community milestones. For generations, the paper has been a staple of local life, with long-time residents often noting that their entire week was scheduled around the arrival of the Wednesday edition. 

The newspaper’s modern legacy was largely defined by the leadership of Sam Bartley, who began working at the publication part-time in 1976 and eventually became its sole owner in December 2020. Before Bartley’s tenure as owner, the paper was notably owned for many years by Lodge Compton until his passing in the early 2000s. Under Bartley and managing news editor Scotty Wampler, the weekly broadsheet maintained a reputation for high-quality community journalism, weathering the industry’s shift toward digital platforms while continuing to print physical editions for its dedicated subscriber base of approximately 2,800. 

In October 2022, The Virginia Mountaineer was acquired by HD Media LLC, a West Virginia-based media group that also owns the Charleston Gazette-Mail and The Herald-Dispatch. The acquisition saved the century-old institution from potential closure and introduced a new digital strategy, including the launch of a comprehensive website and online subscription services. Today, the paper remains headquartered in the Grundy Plaza and continues to publish every Wednesday, preserving its heritage as a leading voice for the residents of Southwest Virginia.