10 Abandoned Places In West Virginia That Still Have Stories To Tell

Visiting deserted locations is among the most enjoyable adventures to have, and West Virginia is dwelling to lots of them. Moreover being eerily lovely, West Virginia’s deserted locations drive one to pause and take into consideration what they have been like after they have been as soon as inhabited.

For anybody desirous to be taught extra about these outdated uncared for constructions, once-loved locations, and tales of days previous, here is a handful of the most well-liked deserted locations West Virginia has in retailer for curious vacationers (and most include fascinating tales, too).

Please word that it’s not suggested to enter any of those buildings or properties except on an official guided tour that allows entry. Many of those deserted spots are structurally unsafe, and it might be harmful to get near and/or go inside them. Additionally, many of those could also be non-public property or closed to the general public. As such, please don’t trespass if so. These deserted websites in West Virginia are fascinating and eerie to see, however individuals should not break the legislation or put their security in jeopardy.

10 Virginius Island, Harpers Ferry

Virginius Island was a once-inhabited island on the Shenandoah River that hosted factories, mills, and several other different industrial institutions. The city was established within the early 1800s with the digging of the Shenandoah Canal, and practically 2 hundred individuals lived and labored on this island in its heyday. As time went on, the island turned a sufferer of so many challenges, which finally led to the destruction of most of its infrastructure and its eventual abandonment.

The primary was the Civil Warfare, which was adopted by an amazing flood that swept by way of the island and destroyed the constructions that had been spared by the civil warfare. Right this moment, not a single particular person inhabits this island, however it’s open to the general public, and guests are allowed to hike and discover the ruins which have been left to the mercies of nature. These days, many individuals think about it to be one of many most remote ghost towns in the US.

• Deal with:
  Virginius Island, West Virginia, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425, USA

• Established:
  1800s

• Deserted:
  1936

9 Lake Shawnee Amusement Park, Princeton

The defunct and now decaying Lake Shawnee Amusement Park is among the creepiest deserted websites in West Virginia, and it additionally comes with a terrifying story. Earlier than the park was even constructed, a scary prevalence had taken place right here.

According to historical records, a settler referred to as Mitchell Clay inhabited the world close to Lake Shawnee together with his household. Quickly after, a bunch of Shawnee individuals killed three of Clay’s kids. Enraged and thirsty for revenge, Clay tracked down and ended the lives of many members of the Shawnee group who had induced him a lot ache.

A number of many years later, in 1962, the Lake Shawnee Amusement Park started working within the space however quickly closed after the deaths of two kids within the park. Right this moment, the country stays of the park are crumbling and being reclaimed by nature, making it one of many creepiest deserted theme parks within the US.

• Deal with:
  470 Matoaka Rd Rock, West Virginia, 24747, United States

• Established:
  1962

• Deserted:
  1966

Go to the park’s website to schedule a daytime tour or an in a single day expertise to analyze the ghost tales which have been advised about this place.

8 Ruins Of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Harpers Ferry

In-built 1851, St John’s Episcopal Church was some of the vital constructions in Harpers Ferry. It first served as a church earlier than it was transformed to a hospital and barracks throughout the Civil Warfare. After the warfare, the broken church was rebuilt once more, but it surely quickly turned deserted for good after a brand new St. John’s Episcopal Church was constructed.

Right this moment, the ruins of the church can nonetheless be seen, they usually have even been included as a part of Harpers Ferry Nationwide Historic Park. The remnants of the church are eerily attractive, incomes them a spot among the many greatest deserted websites in West Virginia.

• Deal with:
  168 Church St, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, 25425, United States

• Constructed:
  1851

• Deserted:
  1895

7 Candy Springs Resort, Candy Springs Valley

The Candy Springs Resort is among the most well-known deserted buildings in West Virginia historical past. At its peak, the Previous Candy Springs Resort hosted as much as 800 friends directly, and it was widespread everywhere in the nation due to its spectacular structure and therapeutic heat springs. Moreover getting used as a resort, these constructions have been additionally used as an outdated individuals’s dwelling and a sanatorium, and it has modified possession severally.

Right this moment, the constructions have a brand new proprietor who has plans to probably convert them right into a resort, however at the moment, they’re nonetheless wanting deserted and on the verge of getting reclaimed by nature.

• Deal with:
  19540 Candy Springs Valley Rd, Hole Mills, WV 24941, United States

• Constructed:
  1830 (present constructing)

• Present State:
  The Candy Springs Resort is being restored and may quickly open as a resort. Within the meantime, guests are allowed to go to to witness the spectacular structure and find out about its historical past.

Associated: 10 Hotels Around The World That Have Been Long-Abandoned

6 Thurmond, Fayette County

There are numerous reasons why Thurmond went from a vibrant boomtown to a ghost town. Though not utterly deserted, Thurmond’s population is dwindling, and the city is on its technique to changing into one of many latest ghost cities on the planet. In 2020, it had a inhabitants of 5, and most of its buildings are slowly getting reclaimed by nature.

The city got here into existence in 1900 to function a practice city. Throughout its heyday, this city had resorts, eating places, and several other companies, and it hosted about 500 individuals. Every little thing was working easily within the city till the arrival of the Nice Despair, which led to the closure of most of its companies.

A few of its companies even burned down in fires, and all these have been left to its abandonment even earlier than the Nineteen Fifties. Right this moment, a lot of the buildings can nonetheless be seen within the city, and there are even rumors that the city is haunted. Whether or not they’re or aren’t, it is secure to say that the city itself and its buildings are among the many most historic deserted locations in West Virginia to go to.

• The place:
  CR 25/2 at New River, Thurmond, West Virginia

• Established:
  1884

• Present State:
  Virtually utterly deserted. The inhabitants was simply 5 in 2020.

5 West Virginia Penitentiary, Moundsville

The West Virginia Penitentiary was not deserted; as an alternative, it was retired from use in 1995 and now stands as some of the spectacular gothic-style prisons on the planet. Established in 1876, this penitentiary has seen so many fascinating issues all through its many years of use as a jail.

Right here, a number of the most infamous criminals have been held, and so many tortures and executions occurred inside the partitions of the jail. For a time, it was named some of the violent correctional services within the US. Right this moment, it’s open for excursions, and plenty of components of it are even mentioned to be haunted, making it one of many spookiest deserted buildings in West Virginia.

• Deal with:
  818 Jefferson Avenue, Moundsville, WV 26041

• Constructed:
  1876

• Closed:
  1995

4 Kaymoor, New River Gorge Nationwide Park

West Virginia has many abandoned mining towns, and Kaymoor is among the most fascinating. Positioned close to Fayetteville in New River Gorge National Park (which is an excellent destination worth visiting), this coal mining city first began its operation in 1899, and it grew to turn out to be a city full of staff and their households. Within the Nineteen Sixties, nevertheless, the city turned deserted after most of its buildings have been destroyed in a hearth.

Many many years after it was deserted, lots of the buildings and tools from the coal mining days of this city can nonetheless be seen at this time, and the lushness that surrounds them makes the expertise right here much more thrilling.

• Deal with:
  104 Foremost Avenue Glen Jean, WV 25846

• Constructed:
  1900

• Deserted:
  Nineteen Sixties

A number of deadly accidents occurred throughout the coal mining days of Kaymoor, and there are nonetheless dangers of such accidents at this time. Subsequently, guests are suggested to not get near the buildings and tools.

Associated: New River Gorge: Here’s How Many Days You’ll Need To Visit (& What To See)

3 Deserted Lock No. 19, Washington

The abandoned Lock No. 19 was an infrastructure designed to maintain the extent of the Ohio River at a secure stage so boats and ships may journey the waters year-round. When concrete dams have been constructed, the outdated lock and dam system turned ineffective, in order that they have been deserted.

Right this moment, what stays of this once-important infrastructure are crumbling graffiti-covered partitions and damaged glass surrounded by dry timber. These days, it is one of many scariest deserted buildings in West Virginia, primarily attributable to its eerie environment, though there have been no studies of something paranormal or shifty happening inside its partitions.

• Deal with:
  588-598 Northeast Drive, Washington, West Virginia, United States

• Constructed:
  1910

• Deserted:
  1968

Lock No. 19 is on public land. Which means anybody can discover this historic constructing since it is not non-public property; nevertheless, care is suggested.

2 Silver Run Tunnel, Cairo

Silver Run Tunnel is among the scariest haunted deserted websites in West Virginia. Positioned alongside the North Bend Rail Path on the outskirts of Cairo, this deserted tunnel is thought for being haunted by a lady wearing white. Nobody actually is aware of who she is, however tales have it that her ghost haunts the tunnel and sometimes scares practice drivers.

The tales clarify that drivers using by way of the tunnel would spot her proper in entrance of the practice. Out of concern of crushing her, the drivers would cease, however after they would come right down to examine correctly, they’d usually uncover nothing. This occurred to a number of drivers who then determined to journey by way of the tunnel at high pace with out stopping, even when they noticed any individual standing in the way in which.

Even after it was deserted, a number of rumors of unusual noises and ghost haunting are nonetheless being reported at this tunnel.

• The place:
  North Bend Rail Path, Close to Cairo, Ritchie County

The Silver Run Tunnel is darkish and particularly creepy at night time, so guests ought to convey their flashlights and are available ready for something, together with the overwhelming presence that many guests declare may be felt inside.

1 Volcano Historic Boomtown, Walker

Established in 1860 as an oil-producing boomtown, Volcano rapidly turned a vibrant city full of companies attributable to its oil wealth. In lower than 10 years after its institution, it was already full of a number of institutions from resorts to eating places, retailers, and even a put up workplace. At its peak, it had greater than 2,000 inhabitants as its wells continued to supply oil.

Volcano’s decline finally got here when a hearth broke out and destroyed the city’s huge oil tanks. The oil then spilled out and unfold the fireplace to each constructing round till nearly all of the city burned to the bottom. Nobody is aware of what induced that fireside, but it surely positive destroyed the city to the extent that it was by no means rebuilt.

The city was finally deserted within the Nineteen Fifties, and one can nonetheless go to at this time to see the stays of the once-vibrant city, which is now virtually utterly lined by timber and crops. It is among the finest deserted cities in West Virginia, not only for its look however due to its distinctive and fiery backstory.

• Deal with:
  Walker, West Virginia, United States

• Established:
  1860s

• Deserted:
  Nineteen Fifties