David Sibray
GRANTSVILLE, W.Va. — Nights in rural Calhoun County are counted among the darkest in West Virginia, so it’s little wonder that the tale of one of the state’s strangest hauntings comes out of its hills. The phantom, which supposedly manifested in the valley of the Little Kanawha River in the late 1800s, is still a … Read more
HILLSBORO, W.Va. — Hill’s Creek in eastern West Virginia is more than just a pretty stream. Though its waterfalls have won fame worldwide, scientifically speaking, there’s more to the stream than meets the eye. Descending from the Allegheny Mountains in Pocahontas County, its triple waterfalls attract thousands of tourists annually and are among the most … Read more
PINEVILLE, W.Va. — If it’s May or June in West Virginia and you’ve noticed an uptick in bear encounters on social media and in person, don’t be surprised. Young black bears are venturing out on their own in late spring and early summer, and male and female adults are searching for food and mating opportunities. … Read more
GRANDVIEW, W.Va. — Trees once shaded country cemeteries in Appalachia, according to an archaeologist. As a practical matter, they were not covered in grassy lawns, which would have been challenging to maintain. According to David Rotenizer, an archaeologist and Virginia tourism official, caretakers planted trees to shade the cemeteries and deter the growth of grass … Read more
LEWISBURG, W.Va. — Settlers who pushed westward across the Alleghenies in the 1700s engaged in a deadly gamble. Despite the threat of attack by the Shawnee, the daring few who took the risk to settle in that wilderness felt the promise of land was worth the danger. Such was the case with Andrew Donnally, who … Read more
ANSTED, W.Va. — Historians investigating the history of a landmark tavern in southern West Virginia have uncovered evidence that explorer William Clark, of the Lewis & Clark Expedition, lodged there in the 1820s. While it is known that many famous travelers sought accommodations at the Tyree Tavern, or Halfway House, developers restoring the property as … Read more
MOUNDSVILLE, W.Va. — The iconic LOVE-HATE tattoos that adorn many thuggish fists in the U.S. are tied to one of the most horrific events in West Virginia history and a blockbuster movie based on it. A murderous preacher, a lonely-hearts serial killer, and the infamous state penitentiary at Moundsville all figure into the twisted tale, … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Great Seal of West Virginia may be as fascinating to some West Virginians as the U.S. dollar bill is for other Americans. It’s full of symbolism, the origins of which continue to be examined. Some of its symbols are mysterious, while others are likely more obvious. What is a state seal? … Read more
BECKLEY, W.Va. — The historical outdoor dramas “Hatfields & McCoys” and “Honey in the Rock” will return to the Cliffside Amphitheater at Grandview this week and run through the end of the month. After a five-year pause, the drama “Honey in the Rock,” the story of the birth of West Virginia, is returning to the … Read more
MARLINTON, W.Va. — Located entirely within the Appalachian Mountains, West Virginia includes some of the darkest regions of the night sky in the eastern U.S. While regions near its largest cities may be bright enough to wash out many stars, residents of more than 50 percent of the state enjoy star-spangled nights. Where are the … Read more
