Discover the Mountain State: Top 19 Fun and Fascinating Facts About West Virginia

1. New River Gorge Bridge: Engineering Marvel

In a land where traversing treacherous terrain was once as difficult as avoiding Game of Thrones spoilers, there now stands a towering testament to both engineering prowess and West Virginian tenacity: Behold the New River Gorge Bridge, the largest steel bridge in the world! Spanning over 3,000 feet and nearly 70 feet wide, this impressive structure, built in 1977, not only reduced travel time but also holds the title of the second highest span in the country.
Source => unitedstatesnow.org

2. Harpers Ferry: History & Hiking Haven

Hidden amidst Mother Nature's lush beard and Uncle Sam's cobweb-laden attic, lies a town with history to overthrow and hikes to steal one's breath away: Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, nestled in West Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, was a key player in the American Civil War, houses preserved industrial sites from the 1800s, and cozies up to the renowned Appalachian Trail, making it a must-visit treasure for history buffs and nature enthusiasts alike.
Source => nomadasaurus.com

Discover the hidden treasure of Blackbeard's infamous ship, Queen Anne's Revenge, found in North Carolina, and explore the legendary pirate's coastal escapades through fascinating artifacts at the NC Maritime Museum. 🏴‍☠️🌊🏺

=> Fun Facts about North-Carolina-For-Kids

3. Mothman Festival: Spooky Spectacle

In West Virginia, even spooky creatures can't resist the limelight: The Mothman Festival, held annually in Point Pleasant, attracts more visitors than the town's population with its parades, Mothman-themed merchandise, and a dedicated museum. This wing-flapping extravaganza commemorates the urban legend that emerged in 1966, when local residents reported spotting a terrifying beast with 10-foot wings and red eyes, allegedly born from the town's history of explosives production in a former TNT area.
Source => uwm.edu

4. Rhododendron: West Virginia's Floral Gem

"You know the saying 'grow where you are planted'? Well, apparently, West Virginia's rhododendrons took it to heart, since they seem to be just about everywhere, and they sure know how to throw a party – their annual bloom is like the Met Gala for hummingbirds and butterflies: The Rhododendron, West Virginia's vibrant state flower, was adopted in 1903 after an enthusiastic vote by school children and Governor Atkinson's endorsement. These versatile shrubs can be found throughout the state, reaching heights of up to 40 feet, and showcasing clusters of pink or white flowers every July – making them as stunningly fashionable as they are popular among locals."
Source => proflowers.com

5. James Rumsey: Steamboat Pioneer

Before steamboats became the OG influencers of water transportation, West Virginia's James Rumsey was getting shoutouts from George Washington and Benjamin Franklin like a true (pre)History OP: West Virginia saw the birth of James Rumsey and the success of his steam-powered boat demonstration on the Potomac River in 1787, with support from notable figures such as Washington and Franklin, ultimately leading to the advancement of steamboat technology despite Rumsey's passing before his invention went mainstream.
Source => wvpublic.org

6. Hollywood in the Hills: WV Film Locations

Who knew Hannibal Lecter and friends preferred the taste of West Virginia? It's a true cinematic smorgasbord: The state played host to filming for several celebrated movies, including Best Picture winners "The Silence of the Lambs" and "The Deer Hunter," which both bagged five Academy Awards each, while "Primal Fear" nabbed a Best Supporting Actor nomination. Let's not forget "Matewan," a story about a labor union organizer, and "The Glass Castle," a biographical drama about a dysfunctional family.
Source => wowktv.com

7. Huntersville Chert: Mineral Marvel

Like a hidden gem in a mine shaft full of dusty trivia nuggets, the chert of West Virginia isn’t one to be taken for “granite”: This versatile mineral, especially the vibrant Huntersville Chert, is not only useful for practical purposes but also fashioned into eye-catching jewelry, thanks to its striking patterns and colors like red, yellow, and white.
Source => rockseeker.com

8. Mary Lou Retton: Gymnastics Trailblazer

In a feat that would make any West Virginian shout "Yee-haw, Mary Lou!", a spunky gymnast leapt her way onto the world stage, flipping the expected on its head and sticking the landing like a proud hillbilly acrobat: At the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, West Virginia's own Mary Lou Retton became the first American woman to ever win the all-around gold medal in gymnastics, securing her spot in history as a trendsetter in the sport.
Source => augustaartsandculture.org

9. Woodland Squirrel Trio: Furry Friends

Whoever said, "Three's a crowd" never visited West Virginia's woodland squirrel soirées: The Mountain State hosts a tree-mendous trio of furry critters, namely the red squirrel, eastern gray squirrel, and eastern fox squirrel, each with their own special forest preferences.
Source => extension.wvu.edu

10. New River: Cheeky Ancient River

In West Virginia, ancient rivers have no time for your silly "erosion" nonsense: The New River is a staggering 320 million years old, even predating the Appalachian Mountains, and boasts the scenic New River Gorge Bridge as its crown jewel - making it not only the oldest, but also one of the cheekiest rivers on the block.
Source => a-z-animals.com

11. Green Bank Telescope: ET Connection

"ET phone home... from West Virginia?": The Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope, residing in charming West Virginia, holds the title for the world's largest fully steerable radio telescope and plays a crucial role in the Breakthrough Listen project, scanning the cosmos for radio signals from extraterrestrial tech, even examining the enigmatic interstellar object ʻOumuamua in 2017 for signs of alien intelligence.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

12. Miniature Church & Post Office: Tiny Treasures

In the heart of the marvelous mountains of West Virginia, where the deer and the antelope most likely never played, lies a tiny space for worship that might leave you wondering if you misplaced your reading glasses: Our Lady of the Pines Catholic Church in Silver Lake is not only the smallest purpose-built family church in the area - with a cozy altar and 12 single-seat pews - but it's also conveniently located near the world's smallest post office, which is, believe it or not, even tinier than the church itself!
Source => en.wikipedia.org

13. Impressive Education: 44 Colleges

In the land of moonshine and rolling hills, where John Denver serenades you amidst the Appalachian peaks, higher learning ain't no second fiddle either: West Virginia houses 44 colleges, including two land-grant universities and two historically black colleges and universities, with notable institutions such as Marshall University, University of Charleston, and West Virginia Wesleyan College.
Source => cappex.com

14. Bluefield: Coal Millionaire Hotspot

Who knew West Virginia had its very own Klondike Gold Rush equivalent? Well, coal is the new gold, I guess: Bluefield, West Virginia, during the late 19th century's coal boom, hosted more millionaires per capita than anywhere in the country, along with the highest number of automobiles per capita, as European immigrants and African American migrants flooded to the mountainous region in search of industrial work.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

15. Vast Lakes & Whitewater Rafting: Aquatic Escapades

Whoever said West Virginia was just a mountain momma clearly didn't get the memo about her wild aquatic side: The state boasts three vast lakes - Summersville, Stonewall Jackson, and Bluestone - each sprawling over 2,000 acres and offering oodles of water-based shenanigans like fishing, swimming, and boating, not to mention the exhilarating whitewater rafting escapades on the New River and Gauley River.
Source => gisgeography.com

16. Helvetia: Swiss Charm in the Mountains

Cuckoo for cuckoo clocks, yodeling aficionados, and chocolate-lovers rejoice: Helvetia, a tiny West Virginia village nestled in Randolph County, was established in 1869 by Swiss and German immigrants and still retains its authentic European charm through traditional dance, music, food, and celebrations like the Helvetia Ramp Supper, Follow Your Bliss Music Festival, Swiss National Holiday, and monthly square dances.
Source => helvetiawv.com

17. Snowshoe Mountain: All-Seasons Adventure

Where ski enthusiasts and mountain lovers say "Allegheny all the way!" Snowshoe Mountain in West Virginia proves it's not all about the winter frost, but the summer thrills as well: Boasting 11,000 acres of outdoor playgrounds in the Allegheny Mountains, Snowshoe offers a slew of summer activities such as mountain biking, horseback riding, and even a Grand National Cross Country Racing event! As the winter rolls in, this versatile resort averages 180 inches of snowfall, houses 1,400 condos and lodge units, and keeps snow bunnies grinning ear-to-ear with 60 slopes and trails.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

18. Bramwell: Coal-tycoons Playground

Who needs Silicon Valley when you have...Coal Country? Buckle your seatbelts for the rollicking tale of Bramwell, West Virginia: once the playground of late 1800s coal barons, this small town boasted the highest number of millionaires per capita in America, with a whopping 17 tycoons rubbing elbows and counting their coal-dusted cash.
Source => bramwellwv.com

19. Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum: Spooky Tours

When the spirits come a-knockin', West Virginia's got the perfect haunt for ghost hunters to do their talkin': The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in Weston offers guided tours exploring the historic and paranormal elements of its 242,000 square foot facility, inviting fearless guests to experience apparition sightings, unexplained voices, and other eerie encounters featured on popular shows like Ghost Hunters, Ghost Adventures, and Paranormal Challenge.
Source => trans-alleghenylunaticasylum.com