Reedy, West Virginia (WV), is a small town in northern Roane County in the rolling hill country of central West Virginia. Located along WV Route 14 between Spencer and the Ohio River valley, the community developed where early roads and waterways converged.
The town stands at the meeting of the left, middle, and right forks of Reedy Creek, a tributary of the Little Kanawha River. That geography gave the early settlement its original name, Three Forks of Reedy.
Today, Reedy remains a quiet rural community surrounded by wooded ridges, farms, streams, and narrow valleys characteristic of the Little Kanawha River watershed.
History of Reedy
Settlement in the Reedy Creek country began during the early 19th century. Pioneer families were establishing homes on the waters of Reedy Creek by the 1810s, decades before Roane County was created in 1856.
The community that became Reedy developed into an important crossroads. The Ravenswood-Reedy Turnpike met the Reedy-Spencer Road here, helping establish the settlement as the principal business center for northern Roane County.
Known originally as Three Forks of Reedy, the community became known simply as Reedy in the mid-19th century and was incorporated in 1894.
Like many communities in rural West Virginia, Reedy historically served people living across a much larger countryside. Small towns such as Reedy provided stores, mills, postal services, churches, schools, and other necessities for farm families who might otherwise have traveled many miles for them.
Reedy Creek
Reedy Creek is one of the defining natural features of northern Roane County. Its branches drain a heavily wooded landscape before eventually carrying their waters toward the Little Kanawha River.
The convergence of three forks at Reedy helped determine where the community developed. Before modern highways, stream valleys also provided some of the easiest routes through West Virginia’s rugged hill country, and roads frequently followed them.
The result is a settlement pattern still evident today, with homes, farms and roads occupying narrow valleys beneath forested hills.
Exploring the Reedy area
Reedy is chiefly a residential and agricultural community rather than a conventional tourist destination, but its location provides travelers with an opportunity to explore the rural landscape of central West Virginia.
Country roads radiate outward through forests, creek valleys, and old farming settlements. The surrounding region reflects the pastoral landscape that defines much of Roane County and the Little Kanawha watershed.
Travelers interested in small towns, historic roads, genealogy and rural West Virginia may find Reedy particularly interesting as part of a drive through Roane, Jackson and Wirt counties. The grocery store and post office in downtown Reedy are historic.
Nearby destinations
Spencer, the Roane County seat, is about 10 miles southeast of Reedy and offers the nearest concentration of restaurants, shops, and visitor services. The city is also home to the historic Robey Theatre and hosts the annual West Virginia Black Walnut Festival.
Elizabeth, the county seat of neighboring Wirt County, is approximately 16 miles north of Reedy. From there, travelers can continue through the Little Kanawha Valley toward Parkersburg.
To the west, WV Route 14 provides access toward Sandyville and the Ohio River communities of Jackson County.
Location
Reedy is located on WV Route 14 in northern Roane County, approximately 10 miles northwest of Spencer, 16 miles south of Elizabeth and 15 miles east of Sandyville.
The town occupies approximately one-fifth of a square mile at the confluence of the forks of Reedy Creek. The 2020 U.S. Census counted 152 residents.
Regional information
Reedy is located in the Heartland Region of West Virginia. Additional information on attractions, lodging, recreation and communities nearby may be found in our guides to Roane County and the Heartland Region.
Lodging near Reedy, West Virginia
Location
Reedy is located on Highway WV-14 approximately 16 miles south of Elizabeth, West Virginia, 10 miles northwest of Spencer, West Virginia, and 15 miles east of Sandyville, West Virginia.
Map of Reedy, West Virginia
Regional Information
Reedy is located in the Heartland Region in western West Virginia.