6 Playfully Peculiar Towns In West Virginia
One of the country's more complex and untamed states, West Virginia is occasionally mysterious, sometimes spooky, and always brimming with character. This wild state is rife with national forests and rivers, but it is the small cities between that have such interesting and unique histories. Whether it is Point Pleasant's Mothman or the Civil War remnants in Lewisburg, the strange and exciting await those who travel the country roads of West Virginia. Read on to discover more about these six playfully peculiar towns.
Point Pleasant
It seems fitting to start this list with a representation of perhaps the quirkiest and strangest thrill in West Virginian history: the Mothman Museum in Point Pleasant. This museum is a delightfully spooky deep dive into West Virginia's most enduring cryptid, whose first appearances happened in the 1960s and whose existence is still debated today. Open every day of the week, the Museum is family-friendly and offers a chance to learn all about the local legend of the Mothman.
The Tu-Endie-Wei State Park, which comes almost right to Point Pleasant's borders, is a beautiful and wild forest that, perhaps, may provide a breath of fresh air after a spooky Mothman exhibit. Visitors to Point Pleasant can enjoy this natural beauty along hiking trails, while even closer at hand, Main Street is packed with establishments to enjoy, like Happy Daze Apparel for those looking to browse, or What's the Scoop ice cream shop.
Parkersburg
One of West Virginia's oldest cities, Parkersburg is rife with history. Its layers of architectural styles and design influences over the course of centuries have made the city overall a unique and blended representation of urban growth. Its most unique aspect, however, is Blennerhassett Island, a national historical site located just off the city's shoreline, in the Ohio River. Tours of the island are offered regularly. According to Parkersburg's website, “the island was where plans were developed by Aaron Burr and Harman Blennerhassett to undertake a military expedition to the Southwest that many, including President Thomas Jefferson, considered treasonous.”
Do not let Parkersburg's tumultuous past imply a tumultuous present: nowadays, visitors can enjoy a relaxing stroll in Point Park along the Ohio River, or perhaps can peruse the art displays at the Parkersburg Art Center. If you happen to be in town at the right time, the Harvest Moon Festival is a must-see, showcasing local crafts and live music.
Martinsburg
Known as the “Gateway to the Shenandoah Valley,” Martinsburg had modest beginnings in the 18th century. It would later bloom as a railroad town, the remnants of which have become quite the tourist attraction: visit the Martinsburg Roundhouse, a large building originally designed for steam locomotives but which now displays trains and engines. More original roundhouse structures and lines exist from Martinsburg's heyday, though of course it has much more to offer than just its historic importance.
Downtown Martinsburg is an ancient district unto itself, and its main street is thriving. There is so much history there that the town provides a downtown history scavenger hunt for tourists to enjoy; otherwise, visiting families can attend the Wonderment Puppet Theater for a show, or the interactive exhibits at the George Children's Museum.
Lewisburg
Lewisburg is playfully peculiar in the best way: it has the annual Lewisburg Chocolate Festival. In and of itself, that should be reason enough for anyone to want to visit. But Lewisburg is steeped in as much history and charm as anywhere else in the state: located in the heart of the beautiful Greenbrier Valley, the town of Lewisburg has become a sophisticated and delightful tourist destination, not least of all because it was once the site of a Civil War battle.
In fact, the Battle of Lewisburg was so extensive that its physical remnants are part of everyday life in the town today. Tourists can visit the John Wesley Methodist Church to see the mark left by a cannonball strike in 1862. White Sulphur Springs, a place where people now dine out or shop for groceries, was once a battleground where 350 lives were lost.
Lewisburg, above all else, is a town where past and present are so intermingled that they are inseparable.
Beckley
The biggest attraction in Beckley is its Exhibition Coal Mine. At the Mine, visitors can ride carts down dark passages, learning about the history of coal mining in the process and interacting with guides, all of whom are seasoned miners themselves. Fun for all ages, the interactive coal mine provides a unique experience, both enjoyable and educational.
The nearby Youth Museum is another big attraction in Beckley, while the town's opportunities for outdoor recreation are plentiful: there are 12 community parks to enjoy, and the Lewis McManus Trail for those wanting a hiking experience.
Fairmont
Perhaps the quirkiest claim made on this list, Fairmont insists that it is the birthplace of the pepperoni roll. Now a staple of West Virginia overall, the pepperoni roll was invented when Giuseppe Argiro, who emigrated from Calabria, Italy, opened a bakery in Fairmont. He remembered his coal miner friends would eat a stick of salami or pepperoni in one hand and a piece of bread in the other.” Of course, visitors to Fairmont can buy traditional pepperoni rolls at Country Club Bakery or Colasessano's Pizza, among many other locations. Give one a try!
Fairmont also has a large Farmers' Market and a historic main street with over 100 businesses. Prickett's Fort State Park and Valley Falls State Park are both nearby, providing locals and tourists alike with a chance to enjoy the lush outdoors.
With centuries worth of complex history, it is no wonder that modern-day West Virginia comes with plenty of personality. Peculiar and playful at its core, this rugged state is best represented by its small towns and their offerings: the exhibition coal mine in Beckley, the pepperoni rolls of Fairmont, and (of course) the Mothman of Point Pleasant are all snapshots of the unique existence of West Virginia and all that it contains.
