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    At tip of W.Va.'s northern panhandle, "Point of Beginning" marks start of the West

    Landmarks / Museums David Sibray -
    EAST LIVERPOOL, Ohio — Some say that the American West begins at West Virginia— specifically at the tip of its northern panhandle—and there's a...
    Economic Development

    Thirty-three West Virginia companies receive award for global exports

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Thirty-three West Virginia companies that export...
    History / Prehistory

    The eastern panhandle of West Virginia: how it came to be

    1
    SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. — The eastern panhandle of West Virginia...
    History / Prehistory

    Unique northern panhandle of West Virginia created by historic dispute

    1
    WEIRTON, W.Va — West Virginia's remarkable shape is partly...
    Festivals / Events

    August in West Virginia: When mountain customs come home

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — August in West Virginia is a...
    Travel / Transportation

    Wild and Wonderful: A journey through West Virginia’s most beautiful places

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — There's a reason West Virginia is...
    History / Prehistory

    Historic West Virginia heat waves and how the state can recover its coolness

    1
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — While known for its forests and...

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    Travel / Transportation

    Wild and Wonderful: A journey through West Virginia’s most beautiful places

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — There's a reason West Virginia is...
    History / Prehistory

    Unique northern panhandle of West Virginia created by historic dispute

    1
    WEIRTON, W.Va — West Virginia's remarkable shape is partly...
    Economic Development

    Solar flowers capture attention along the Kanawha River at Buffalo

    3
    BUFFALO, W.Va. — An array of five giant "solar...
    Festivals / Events

    West Virginia to host first-ever Spartan Trifecta World Championship in the U.S.

    2
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia will make history in...
    History / Prehistory

    The eastern panhandle of West Virginia: how it came to be

    1
    SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. — The eastern panhandle of West Virginia...

    Popular Categories

    Economic Development122History / Prehistory112Lore and Legend109Hunting109State Parks, Forests106Arts103Higher Education94Agriculture88Wildlife / Conservancy75National Parks72Fishing70Landmarks / Museums66Recreation64Botany and Forestry61Festivals / Events59Travel / Transportation50

    Headlines

    Peters Mountain Roar continues to mystify West Virginia residents

    Natural Wonders David Sibray -
    ZENITH, W.Va. — Those who have heard the haunting "Peters Mountain Roar" say it will forever stay with them....

    Oil spilled from W.Va.'s largest well traveled 100 miles to Ohio River

    Landmarks / Museums David Sibray -
    COPLEY, W.Va. — In a quiet meadow along the upper reaches of the Sand Fork of the Little Kanawha...

    Islands in the Ohio River in West Virginia are a Noah's Ark for wildlife

    Wildlife Refuges, Management Areas Amanda Larch Hinchman -
    WILLIAMSTOWN, W.Va. — Hidden in plain sight, the islands in the Ohio River in West Virginia are a Noah's...

    A hidden parkway travels beneath the New River Gorge Bridge in W.Va.

    National Parks David Sibray -
    FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — Nearly all who cross the towering New River Gorge Bridge in West Virginia are affected by...

    At tip of W.Va.'s northern panhandle, "Point of Beginning" marks start of the West

    Landmarks / Museums David Sibray -
    EAST LIVERPOOL, Ohio — Some say that the American West begins at West Virginia— specifically at the tip of...

    Tales of the Sliding Hill Ghosts are not forgotten by an older generation

    Lore and Legend David Sibray -
    HARTFORD CITY, W.Va. — Old-timers still tell of the ghosts that are said to haunt Sliding Hill in Mason...

    Weird W.Va. wonder "Ice Mountain" open to tours by arrangement

    Natural Wonders Amanda Larch Hinchman -
    NORTH RIVER MILLS, W.Va.— One of West Virginia's most fascinating natural wonders, Ice Mountain, where winter ice lingers in...

    Horrific origin of West Virginia city name Wheeling: "Place of the Skull"

    Lore and Legend David Sibray -
    WHEELING, W.Va. — To the average motorist hurtling through the City of Wheeling on Interstate 70, nothing about the...

    Attractions

    Discover West Virginia waterfalls with one of its chief photographers

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia waterfalls are attracting the...

    Sandstone Falls emerges as a must-see destination in the New River Gorge

    1
    SANDSTONE, W.Va. — Sandstone Falls, one of the most...

    West Virginia’s Farm-to-Table dinner series returns with scenic feasts, local flavor

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The highly anticipated Farm-to-Table Dinner Series...

    Fading memories of a wartime powerhouse: South Charleston’s ordnance plant

    3
    SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Rising behind a series of...

    Communities

    Nightfall’s Value: Light pollution can diminish real estate worth in W.Va.

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — An increasing number of new West...

    The histories of the Grimes Golden and Golden Delicious apples in West Virginia

    5
    CHARLESTON, W.Va.— Around 1790, in a small clearing on...

    Federal downsizing creates real estate opportunity near new national park

    1
    MOUNT HOPE, W.Va. — Federal downsizing has created a...

    The Guyandotte River rediscovered as a destination for angling, paddling

    3
    GUYANDOTTE, W.Va. — Rivers in West Virginia have gained...

    Culture

    The five worst floods in West Virginia history: A Chronicle of Disaster

    1
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Shaped by rugged mountains and winding...

    Appalachia's haunted highway: legends of West Virginia Turnpike ghosts

    3
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Completed in 1954, the West Virginia...

    From Greenbrier Valley to global fame, the defiant jazz legacy of Ada "Bricktop" Smith

    0
    ALDERSON, W.Va. — Perhaps few people could have predicted...

    100 Years of Tradition: Celebrating the centennial of the State Fair of West Virginia

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    FAIRLEA, W.Va. — The State Fair of West Virginia...

    Recreation

    Parks partner with nonprofit to make golf more affordable for W.Va. youth

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia's state park system is...

    Secret bunker in W.Va. built to hide Congress in event of nuclear war

    4
    WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS. W.Va. — A vast underground bunker...

    Did a settler survive lost in caverns beneath W.Va.'s Greenbrier Valley?

    2
    LEWISBURG, W.Va. — One of the strangest tales to...

    Family-friendly Free Fishing Days in West Virginia to return June 7-8

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Free Fishing Days will return June...

    History and Prehistory

    The five worst floods in West Virginia history: A Chronicle of Disaster

    1
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Shaped by rugged mountains and winding...

    Remarkable encounter: John Brown’s final moments witnessed by Stonewall Jackson

    9
    CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. — On December 1, 1859, abolitionist...

    How Devil Anse Hatfield became a bold symbol of change in Appalachia

    5
    LOGAN, W.Va. — By the time the world would...

    The daring Civil War tale of Samantha Jane Atkeson of Putnam County

    4
    BUFFALO, W.Va. — Samantha Jane Atkeson was a teenager...

    Lore and Legend

    Three facts about the Mothman legend few monster hunters know

    2
    POINT PLEASANT, W.Va. — America's quintessential Atomic Age monster,...

    Tale of Kanawha County monster may have first been documented in 1950s

    3
    PINCH, W.Va. — The legend of a now well-publicized...

    Bigfoot sightings near Sutton, West Virginia, have historic precedent

    1
    SUTTON, W.Va. — Sightings of a bigfoot alleged in...

    The secret origins of Twistabout Creek’s twisting W.Va. name

    1
    PROCIOUS, W.Va. — The strange name of Twistabout Creek...

    State Parks

    Tu-Endie-Wei in W.Va. added to Underground Railroad network

    0
    POINT PLEASANT, W.Va. — Tu-Endie-Wei State Park has been...

    New trail connects off-road trail system with Chief Logan park lodge

    0
    LOGAN, W.Va. — A new 4.6-mile trail connecting Chief...

    Lost River, Cass Scenic Railroad state parks to see major expansions

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Lost River State Park and Cass...

    Extraordinary Beartown State Park a classroom for West Virginia geology

    0
    DROOP, W.Va. — Among the smallest state parks in...

    Hunting

    W.Va. officials urge participation in early antlerless deer season

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia officials are urging hunters...

    December deer, bear hunting seasons underway in West Virginia

    0
    SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — December hunting season for deer...

    W.Va. reminds hunters about furbearer seasons, river otter project

    0
    SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — With the raccoon hunting season...

    W.Va. sets important 2023-'24 migratory game bird season dates

    0
    FARMINGTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Division of Natural...

    Fishing

    Record West Virginia blue catfish broken fourth year in a row

    0
    GALLIPOLIS FERRY, W.Va. — For the fourth year in...

    West Virginia to stock upper Elk River in pilot winter trout program

    0
    WEBSTER SPRINGS, W.Va. — The W.Va. Division of Natural...

    West Virginia stocks 43 waters during first week of fall trout stocking

    0
    SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The W.Va. Division of Natural...

    West Virginia angler catches state record longnose gar

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — According to state officials, an 11-year...

    Hiking

    Five reasons West Virginia is an ultimate winter hiking destination

    0
    FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — While West Virginia has gained worldwide...

    Endless Wall Trail named Best Hike in West Virginia by magazine

    0
    LANSING, W.Va. — The Endless Wall Trail has again...

    Six tips for hiking through the West Virginia forest in winter weather

    0
    FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — Hiking in West Virginia in winter...

    W.Va. records largest spring turkey harvest in five years

    0
    FARMINGTON, W.VA. — According to preliminary data released by...

    Skiing

    Snowshoe Mountain in W.Va. ranks among most affordable ski resorts

    0
    SLATYFORK, W.Va. — Snowshoe Mountain in the Allegheny Mountains...

    Snowshoe Mountain to open skiing, snowboarding by Thanksgiving

    0
    SNOWSHOE, W.Va. — In advance of a strong El...

    Canaan Valley rated one of top U.S. ski, winter destinations

    0
    DAVIS, W.Va. — More than a few magazines in...

    Record conditions: Canaan to open slopes Dec. 13

    0
    Officials at Canaan Valley Resort in West Virginia will...

    National Parks

    Grandview panoramas showcase New River Gorge at its widest, deepest

    0
    SHADY SPRING, W.Va. — Perched more than 1,400 feet...

    Park ranger lists the four must-see attractions in the New River Gorge

    0
    THURMOND, W.Va.—Visiting America's newest national park? There are countless...

    Economic impacts nearly double at Harpers Ferry park over a decade

    0
    HARPERS FERRY, W.Va. — Economic impacts have nearly doubled...

    Spending near national parks in southern W.Va. jumps by 9 percent

    0
    GLEN JEAN, W.Va. – The National Park Service reports...

    Kayaking

    W.Va. flatwater trail commission set to build connections

    0
    Established a year ago, West Virginia’s flatwater trail commission...

    Flatwater paddling expanding quickly across West Virginia

    0
    West Virginia is growing rapidly as a destination for...

    Kayaks opening Guyandotte valley to new exploration

    0
    The valley of the Guyandotte might be counted among...

    June 1 float supports West Fork, now prime kayak-fishing destination

    0
    The West Fork River is fast becoming one of...

    Whitewater Rafting

    Cool autumn weather could super-charge Gauley River rafting

    0
    The return of autumn could result in an end-of-season...

    Gauley River whitewater rafting season begins Sept. 6

    0
    One of the most scenic rivers in the U.S....

    Help build guide to booming West Virginia paddling events

    0
    Paddling sports such as kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding are...

    Eventful and colorful, October ideal for rafting in West Virginia

    0
    October may be the biggest month yet when it...

    Biking

    New Parkersburg-area trail designed for intermediate level bikers

    0
    Already among the most popular destinations for mountain biking...

    Piney Creek trails attracting dozens daily; trail map unveiled

    0
    Hikers, bikers, and runners in growing numbers are venturing...

    Gorge resort introduces electric-assist mountain bike adventures

    0
    Imagine peddling less and riding faster. The new electric-assist...

    New trail to historic mill ruin to open Saturday in Beckley

    0
    Officials in Beckley, West Virginia, on Saturday will open...

    Recent Posts

    At tip of W.Va.'s northern panhandle, "Point of Beginning" marks start of the West

    Landmarks / Museums David Sibray -
    EAST LIVERPOOL, Ohio — Some say that the American West begins at West Virginia— specifically at the tip of...

    The Pickens Leper: a tragic journey into isolation in the W.Va. mountains

    Lore and Legend David Sibray -
    PICKENS, W.Va. — Deep in the Allegheny Mountains in northern West Virginia lies a lone grave marked by two...

    Top 10 largest West Virginia cities by population (2025)

    Travel / Transportation Clyde Craig -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia cities and towns vary in size from the state capital at Charleston, the largest,...

    Jackson’s Mill Jubilee set to crown best homemade pie in West Virginia

    Festivals / Events David Sibray -
    WESTON, W.Va. — Nothing speaks to West Virginia tradition quite like a homemade pie, and this year’s jubilee at...

    Solar flowers capture attention along the Kanawha River at Buffalo

    Economic Development David Sibray -
    BUFFALO, W.Va. — An array of five giant "solar flowers" is capturing the attention of motorists travelling scenic Charleston...

    Thirty-three West Virginia companies receive award for global exports

    Economic Development Clyde Craig -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Thirty-three West Virginia companies that export goods and services have been recognized for expanding into new...

    The eastern panhandle of West Virginia: how it came to be

    History / Prehistory Amanda Larch Hinchman -
    SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. — The eastern panhandle of West Virginia reaches more than 100 miles across the eastern U.S. from...

    Unique northern panhandle of West Virginia created by historic dispute

    History / Prehistory Amanda Larch Hinchman -
    WEIRTON, W.Va — West Virginia's remarkable shape is partly defined by its odd northern panhandle, a finger of land...

    August in West Virginia: When mountain customs come home

    Festivals / Events Clyde Craig -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — August in West Virginia is a time of celebration. Its hills and hollows awaken to a...

    Wild and Wonderful: A journey through West Virginia’s most beautiful places

    Travel / Transportation Bianca Bosworth -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — There's a reason West Virginia is called "almost heaven." In the wild heart of Appalachia, its...

    Historic West Virginia heat waves and how the state can recover its coolness

    History / Prehistory Bianca Bosworth -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — While known for its forests and cool mountain air, West Virginia has nonetheless endured its share...

    West Virginia to host first-ever Spartan Trifecta World Championship in the U.S.

    Festivals / Events David Sibray -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia will make history in 2025 when it becomes the first U.S. location to host...
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    West Virginia Explorer Webzine is an online publication that celebrates the Mountain State's rich culture and natural beauty. Readers enjoy travel tips, hidden gems, outdoor adventures, local lore, and community news. For more than a quarter century, we've been the No. 1 trusted guide for exploring West Virginia.

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    Headlines

    Peters Mountain Roar continues to mystify West Virginia residents

    4
    ZENITH, W.Va. — Those who have heard the haunting...

    Oil spilled from W.Va.'s largest well traveled 100 miles to Ohio River

    0
    COPLEY, W.Va. — In a quiet meadow along the...

    Islands in the Ohio River in West Virginia are a Noah's Ark for wildlife

    0
    WILLIAMSTOWN, W.Va. — Hidden in plain sight, the islands...

    A hidden parkway travels beneath the New River Gorge Bridge in W.Va.

    5
    FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — Nearly all who cross the towering...

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