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David Sibray

David Sibray is the founder, publisher and editor-in-chief of West Virginia Explorer, a news and travel magazine devoted to the state’s history, tourism, outdoor recreation and economic development. For more information, he may be reached at 304-575-7390 or at editor@wvexplorer.com

Tourism in West Virginia employs 70,000 with an expected 21,000 job openings yearly according to the W.Va. Department of Tourism.

Communities

West Virginia creates new online tourism education program

March 12, 2025 by David Sibray

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Governor Patrick Morrisey has announced the creation of “Tourism Works,” an online education program designed to enhance hospitality skills and training among the state’s tourism workforce and everyday West Virginians. The announcement was made at the state capitol with the support of more than 200 tourism and hospitality industry professionals to celebrate … Read more

Culture

West Virginia establishes statewide paranormal trail for dark tourism

March 11, 2025 by David Sibray

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Driven by tourists’ fascination with the eerie and unexplained, West Virginia has developed a statewide paranormal trail, guiding thrill-seekers to its most haunted and spine-chilling destinations. Chelsea Ruby, director of the W.Va. Department of Tourism, says a trail system’s digital passport lets visitors check in at haunted sites, earn points, and unlock … Read more

The Nina Paden docks at Belpre, Ohio. Parkersburg, with its tall courthouse tower, lines the Ohio River in the background.

Culture

Historic ferry weathered many nightmares on the Ohio River

March 7, 2025 by David Sibray

PARKERSBURG, W.Va. — The Nina Paden and its skipper wheeled beyond the call of duty in ferrying the Ohio River at Parkersburg, West Virginia. Of all the tales of the Ohio, theirs may rank among the most fearless. The following narrative was provided by the late Jim Wallen, a reporter for the Huntington Herald-Dispatch. It … Read more

Culture

Chef Boyardee’s surprising link to The Greenbrier resort in West Virginia

March 6, 2025 by David Sibray

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — Surprising as it might seem, the iconic image of Chef Boyardee that adorns so many food packages worldwide is that of a genuine person. Moreover, Ettore Boiardi worked at The Greenbrier in West Virginia, a luxury resort a seeming world away from the streets of New York City, where he … Read more

Dave Sibray surveys the curious cone on Elk Mountain, a roadside attraction along U.S. 219 in Pocahontas County.

Attractions

W.Va. roadside curiosity captures imaginations in Pocahontas County

March 4, 2025 by David Sibray

EDRAY, W.Va. — Famous for its breathtaking mountain scenery, Pocahontas County offers travelers plenty to admire. Yet, one small landmark sparks more curiosity than most—a charming, cone-shaped structure reminiscent of a gnome’s hat. While the county may best be known for its ski areas, observatory, and scenic railroads, one roadside curiosity often steals the spotlight. … Read more

Hotel Thelma Historic Marker in West Virginia

Culture

Mass grave at Lewisburg unique in U.S. among Confederate monuments

February 23, 2025 by David Sibray

LEWISBURG, W.Va. — Of the many historic landmarks in charming Lewisburg, West Virginia, perhaps none is more remarkable than a cross-shaped Confederate grave on a hill above the city’s downtown historic district. According to a prominent West Virginia historian, it may be among the most remarkable burial grounds in the nation. In a shady park … Read more

A fog settles in the vale of Granny Creek, as seen from Old Woman Run in Braxton County near Sutton, West Virginia.

Culture

The name ‘Old Woman Run’ in West Virginia conceals a surprising origin

February 20, 2025 by David Sibray

SUTTON, W.Va. — Sharp-eyed travelers visiting the historic district in downtown Sutton may observe two streams tumbling out of the hills to join the Elk River there. The uppermost stream is “Old Woman Run,” and the lower is “Granny Creek.” According to the late John Davison Sutton, one might suppose they were named for two … Read more

Culture

Tale of Rich Mountain ghosts recalls early Civil War battle in West Virginia

February 19, 2025 by David Sibray

RICH MOUNTAIN, W.Va. — Every summer, thousands of Civil War buffs travel to the summit of Rich Mountain near Beverly, West Virginia, in Randolph County, to explore the remains of the small Rich Mountain Battlefield. Here in a mountain pass on July 11, 1861, George B. McClellan secured his reputation as a winning general and … Read more

An old Virginian Railroad trestle spans Gooney Otter Hollow at Covel, West Virginia. (Photo: David Sibray)

Communities

Biologist suggests origin for strange name of this West Virginia stream

February 18, 2025 by David Sibray

COVEL, W.Va. — From high among the peaks of Great Flat Top Mountain in southern West Virginia, there descends a stream that bears a unique name—Gooney Otter Creek. But what is a “gooney otter?” The strange name appears nowhere else in the world, but a renowned wildlife biologist may have the answer. Jim Reed, now … Read more

Cross Country Skiing At Blackwater Falls State Park

Recreation

West Virginia officials predict big President’s Day skiing weekend

February 13, 2025 by David Sibray

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia ski resorts are experiencing one of their best seasons in over a decade, with exceptional conditions expected for President’s Day weekend (Feb. 15-17), according to state officials. Tom Wagner, president of the West Virginia Ski Areas Association, said an additional 8 to 10 inches of snowfall is forecasted over the … Read more

For nearly 60 years, West Virginians have gathered in this park to eat from the wild

West Virginia high school closed for 13 years is becoming apartments

Five stunning photos capture summer in West Virginia’s state parks

Behind the walls of West Virginia’s massive Gothic prison, now a tourist attraction

Richwood could double historic district at gateway to Monongahela National Forest

Two unbanded peregrine falcons confirmed at New River Gorge Bridge

Weight-loss drugs are changing American bodies; Fashion may be changing with them

West Virginia elk are roaming farther as restored herd grows

Ancient spirit ‘underwater panther’ carved in stone survives in West Virginia

Fall begins Tuesday in West Virginia with temperatures in the mid-90s

They thought it was morning fog, then this West Virginia train hit a burning trestle

West Virginia’s mysterious island will glow by candlelight for two nights this fall

Six weeks of legendary whitewater are about to begin on the Gauley in West Virginia

West Virginia trails conference looks to turn outdoor recreation into community growth

West Virginia fishing record broken for third time in little more than a month

More women are taking up hunting and fishing; these West Virginia workshops may be helping

David Sibray

West Virginia creates new online tourism education program

West Virginia establishes statewide paranormal trail for dark tourism

Historic ferry weathered many nightmares on the Ohio River

Chef Boyardee’s surprising link to The Greenbrier resort in West Virginia

W.Va. roadside curiosity captures imaginations in Pocahontas County

Mass grave at Lewisburg unique in U.S. among Confederate monuments

The name ‘Old Woman Run’ in West Virginia conceals a surprising origin

Tale of Rich Mountain ghosts recalls early Civil War battle in West Virginia

Biologist suggests origin for strange name of this West Virginia stream

West Virginia officials predict big President’s Day skiing weekend