David Sibray
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — When you think of West Virginia, the name might conjure up images of mountains, forests, and waterfalls—wild and wonderful—a place apart from Virginia, its larger neighbor to the east. But the name West Virginia was not inevitable. In fact, in the early days of twha River that flows through the heart of … Read more
PICKENS, W.Va. — In a remote section of the Allegheny Mountains of northern West Virginia lies a solitary grave, marked only by two weathered stones. It belongs to an immigrant who died in isolation, far from his homeland. His story opens a haunting window into a forgotten chapter of American history, where public health, immigration, … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Remote workers looking for a new home with equal parts city energy and mountain calm will find it in West Virginia’s capital. Ascend West Virginia—the nation’s leading talent attraction and retention program—announced that Charleston, West Virginia, has officially joined its lineup of communities welcoming newcomers with incentives and opportunities to plant roots … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Glance at a road map of West Virginia, and you’ll spot a striking blank space just east of the state’s capital. Although the valley around Charleston ranks among the most densely populated regions in West Virginia, the land to the east tells a different story. Few roads cut through its thick forests—a … Read more
PAX, W.Va. — Of the many spirits said to haunt the hills of West Virginia, few stir as much unease as those believed to foretell death. Among them, one of the most chilling may be the Horse Creek Hollow Ghost, a phantom whose legend has been whispered around campfires in the state’s southern mountains for … Read more
CLIFFTOP, W.Va. — At first glance, the Glade Creek Grist Mill at Babcock State Park in West Virginia looks as though it has stood for centuries, its wooden frame weathered to the color of old hickory, its water wheel turning with the steady rhythm of the creek. Featured on postcards, calendars, and guidebooks that promote … Read more
STANAFORD, W.Va. — A quiet residential community outside the city of Beckley, perhaps best known for its scenic views of the Piney Creek Gorge, Stanaford today gives little hint of the labor-related violence that once stained its soil. More than a century ago, on February 25, 1903, this village was the site of one of … Read more
PARKERSBURG, W.Va. — For more than a century, Camp Kootaga stood as a summer sanctuary for generations of scouts, a place where leadership, outdoor skills, and camaraderie were passed down along the wooded bluffs of the Hughes River. Now, thanks to a determined group of alumni and community leaders, the camp’s future is secure — … Read more
FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — On a soft summer morning in the New River Gorge, the forest comes to life with quiet mystery. Rhododendron branches arch into shadowed tunnels, salamanders dart across mossy rocks, and the distant rush of waterfalls blends with birdsong that echoes through the canyon. For most hikers, the best-known trails in the gorge—such … Read more
SUMMERSVILLE, W.Va. — In a ravine beside the U.S. 19 expressway near Summersville Lake, 48 graves lie beneath the trees, marked by small stones. Paddlers and kayakers by the hundreds walk past on their way to the water, rarely pausing at the modest memorial. Few may realize that beneath this quiet ground are the remains … Read more
