Durbin, WV (West Virginia), a community in northern Pocahontas County, was incorporated in 1906 and named for banker Charles R. Durbin, Sr., a local bank official. Its population was 235 at the 2020 census.
The Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad, a scenic railway, is headquartered in Durbin.
Durbin is located south of Burner Mountain at the junction of the east and west forks of the Greenbrier River near the center of the Monongahela National Forest.
Hotels near Durbin, West Virginia
History
Established as a railroad and timber community in the late nineteenth century, the town developed following the arrival of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway and the expansion of the region’s lumber industry.
The community was named for Charles R. Durbin, a local landowner and businessman who played a role in the area’s early development. During the timber boom of the late 1800s and early 1900s, Durbin became an important shipping point for lumber harvested from the vast forests of the Allegheny Mountains. Sawmills, rail operations, and related industries provided employment and attracted residents to the growing town.
As timber production declined during the twentieth century, Durbin’s economy shifted away from large-scale industrial activity. The town, however, retained its railroad heritage and, in the late twentieth century, became known for heritage tourism.
Today, Durbin is recognized as a gateway to outdoor recreation in the Monongahela National Forest. Fishing, hiking, camping, and scenic rail excursions contribute to the local economy, while the town’s historic character reflects its origins as a railroad and lumber community in the highlands of eastern West Virginia.
Durbin and Tourism
Located along the Greenbrier River and surrounded by the mountains and forests of the Allegheny Highlands, Durbin serves as a gateway to outdoor recreation and heritage tourism in eastern West Virginia.
The town is best known as the home of the Durbin Rocket, a heritage excursion train operated by the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad. The attraction draws visitors from across the region and offers scenic journeys through remote mountain landscapes. Railroad tourism has become one of Durbin’s most recognizable attractions and has helped preserve the community’s historic connection to the rail industry.
Outdoor recreation also plays a significant role in the local tourism economy. Nearby destinations include the Monongahela National Forest, the Greenbrier River, and the Allegheny Trail. Visitors come to the area for fishing, hiking, camping, hunting, mountain biking, and wildlife viewing. The town’s proximity to attractions such as Spruce Knob, West Virginia’s highest peak, and the Green Bank Observatory further enhances its appeal as a base for travelers exploring the region.
Tourism-related businesses, including lodging, restaurants, outfitters, and specialty shops, support visitors throughout the year. Seasonal festivals, train excursions, and outdoor events contribute to Durbin’s reputation as one of the state’s leading destinations for heritage and nature-based tourism.
Location
Durbin is located on US-250 and WV-92, approximately 12 miles north of Green Bank, West Virginia; 40 miles northwest of Marlinton, West Virginia; and 40 miles south of Elkins, West Virginia.
Map of Durbin, West Virginia
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Regional Information
Durbin is located in the Allegheny Highlands Region in eastern West Virginia.