The Flickr Raleighcountywestvirginia Image Generatr

U86 winds out of Loop No1 Tunnel just south of Sophia on the Winding Gulf Branch, on the road to Affinity. NS 1800 was set to lead this move, but underwent issues and never saw west of Flat Top on the way up via 811.

New River Gorge National Park,
Grandview, West Virginia.

PLEASE, NO GRAPHICS, BADGES, OR AWARDS IN COMMENTS. They will be deleted.

New River Gorge National Park,
Grandview, West Virginia.

PLEASE, NO GRAPHICS, BADGES, OR AWARDS IN COMMENTS. They will be deleted.

New River Gorge National Park,
Grandview, West Virginia.

PLEASE, NO GRAPHICS, BADGES, OR AWARDS IN COMMENTS. They will be deleted.

The City of Beckley lies in the south-central region of West Virginia in its "coal country." Beckleyville was chartered by the Virginia General Assembly on April 4, 1838 and named for its founding landowner, the Beckley Family. The first member of that family to settle in the future location of the city was John Beckley, who served as the first Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1789 thru 1797. It was John Beckley's son, Alfred, who established the town in 1838. While the town was slow to grow, hampered in part by the American Civil War when it was occupied by the Union Army, Beckley rapidly developed into a bustling city in the late-19th and early-20th centuries, fueled by West Virginia's coal industry. By the mid-20th century, as coal began to decline, so too did Beckley and many similar towns and cities in the state's central and southern regions. The economy of city today relies largely on tourism, with its famous Tamarack, The Best of West Virginia artisan exhibition hall and market bringing thousands to the area annually. This business has allowed the city to revitalize its downtown area in recent years.

Historic commercial structures along Main Street in Beckley's downtown business district. The narrow building originally housed the print shop of the "Raleigh Register," Beckley's newspaper. The Main Street Tavern occupies the former home of Foster's Hardware Store, which operated in the building for many decades. The structures sit atop the site of the Davis cottage which sheltered two future presidents, then Union Army Brevet Major William McKinley and Brevet Major General Rutherford B. Hayes.

The City of Beckley lies in the south-central region of West Virginia in its "coal country." Beckleyville was chartered by the Virginia General Assembly on April 4, 1838 and named for its founding landowner, the Beckley Family. The first member of that family to settle in the future location of the city was John Beckley, who served as the first Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1789 thru 1797. It was John Beckley's son, Alfred, who established the town in 1838. While the town was slow to grow, hampered in part by the American Civil War when it was occupied by the Union Army, Beckley rapidly developed into a bustling city in the late-19th and early-20th centuries, fueled by West Virginia's coal industry. By the mid-20th century, as coal began to decline, so too did Beckley and many similar towns and cities in the state's central and southern regions. The economy of city today relies largely on tourism, with its famous Tamarack, The Best of West Virginia artisan exhibition hall and market bringing thousands to the area annually. This business has allowed the city to revitalize its downtown area in recent years.

The foundation of Beckleyville, later Raleigh Courthouse and finally, the city of Beckley was laid at Wildwood, the plantation of Alfred Beckley. Erected in 1835 by John Lilly Sr. of Bluefield, West Virginia, Wildwood was originally called Park Place, but was renamed Wildwood by its first inhabitant, Alfred Beckley. The house is of vernacular design with Greek Revival influences in its general form, square transom, and shallow pitched roof. The house was expanded to its present size in 1874. Today, Wildwood is preserved as a historical museum dedicated to the founder of Beckley and the person credited with the establishment of Raleigh County.

The City of Beckley lies in the south-central region of West Virginia in its "coal country." Beckleyville was chartered by the Virginia General Assembly on April 4, 1838 and named for its founding landowner, the Beckley Family. The first member of that family to settle in the future location of the city was John Beckley, who served as the first Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1789 thru 1797. It was John Beckley's son, Alfred, who established the town in 1838. While the town was slow to grow, hampered in part by the American Civil War when it was occupied by the Union Army, Beckley rapidly developed into a bustling city in the late-19th and early-20th centuries, fueled by West Virginia's coal industry. By the mid-20th century, as coal began to decline, so too did Beckley and many similar towns and cities in the state's central and southern regions. The economy of city today relies largely on tourism, with its famous Tamarack, The Best of West Virginia artisan exhibition hall and market bringing thousands to the area annually. This business has allowed the city to revitalize its downtown area in recent years.

A view of the commercial district along Main Street opposite the Raleigh County Courthouse.

The City of Beckley lies in the south-central region of West Virginia in its "coal country." Beckleyville was chartered by the Virginia General Assembly on April 4, 1838 and named for its founding landowner, the Beckley Family. The first member of that family to settle in the future location of the city was John Beckley, who served as the first Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1789 thru 1797. It was John Beckley's son, Alfred, who established the town in 1838. While the town was slow to grow, hampered in part by the American Civil War when it was occupied by the Union Army, Beckley rapidly developed into a bustling city in the late-19th and early-20th centuries, fueled by West Virginia's coal industry. By the mid-20th century, as coal began to decline, so too did Beckley and many similar towns and cities in the state's central and southern regions. The economy of city today relies largely on tourism, with its famous Tamarack, The Best of West Virginia artisan exhibition hall and market bringing thousands to the area annually. This business has allowed the city to revitalize its downtown area in recent years.

Established in 1872, the Raleigh Presbyterian Church was organized under the leadership of John Wallace McCreery, a prominent merchant and entrepreneur in Beckley. The church did not receive its first full-time pastoral assignment until the arrival of Rev. W.S. Patterson in 1907. Two years later, the first church building, a brick church designed in Colonial Revival Style was erected two doors south of the present building. On September 23, 1923, Beckley's Masonic Fraternity laid the cornerstone for a new house of worship, constructed of stone at a cost of $75,000.00. By this time, the church had been renamed Beckley Presbyterian Church and it was dedicated on October 2, 1923. The church is modeled closely on the First Christian Church in Beckley, which had been constructed a few years earlier. The church's portico features unique Egyptian Capitals with Acanthus leaf motifs.

The City of Beckley lies in the south-central region of West Virginia in its "coal country." Beckleyville was chartered by the Virginia General Assembly on April 4, 1838 and named for its founding landowner, the Beckley Family. The first member of that family to settle in the future location of the city was John Beckley, who served as the first Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1789 thru 1797. It was John Beckley's son, Alfred, who established the town in 1838. While the town was slow to grow, hampered in part by the American Civil War when it was occupied by the Union Army, Beckley rapidly developed into a bustling city in the late-19th and early-20th centuries, fueled by West Virginia's coal industry. By the mid-20th century, as coal began to decline, so too did Beckley and many similar towns and cities in the state's central and southern regions. The economy of city today relies largely on tourism, with its famous Tamarack, The Best of West Virginia artisan exhibition hall and market bringing thousands to the area annually. This business has allowed the city to revitalize its downtown area in recent years.

Around 1850, Rev. Matthew Ellison, founder of Beckley's First Baptist Church erected a house on Lot 29 on the corner of Fayette and Main Streets, opposite the courthouse green. In later years, the site was home to Beckley's first theater, the Carter Opera House. In 1924, the present Beaux-Arts styled building was erected to house the new Beckley National Bank. The president of this bank was future Congressman Joseph Luther Smith, father of West Virginia's 27th Governor, Hulett Carlson Smith. The bank endured several mergers before leaving the building. In 2000, Marz Attar purchased and restored the building for use as an economic development center as part of downtown Beckley's revitalization. The structure features elaborate stone carving, wrought iron grates, and a massive stained glass dome.

Raleigh County was established on January 23, 1850, carved from Fayette County. Upon its chartering, the county seat was situated at Beckley, whose founder, Alfred Beckley, selected the county's name in honor of Sir Walter Raleigh. In 1850, Alfred Beckley deeded a full block of land at the heart of the city for the county courthouse. During the American Civil War, the 23rd Ohio Infantry encamped on the court green during its occupation of Beckley in the spring of 1862. The present courthouse was erected in 1936. Designed by West Virginia architect L. T. Bengston, the courthouse is an elegant expression of Art Deco style, constructed of local stone. Among the many monuments on the court green are two denoted two coal mine tragedies that took place in Raleigh County: the April 28, 1914 explosion at the Eccles Mine that killed over 180 miners (the second-worst mine disaster in West Virginia history), and the April 5, 2010 Upper Big Branch Mine Disaster which killed 29 miners. The markers bear witness to the dangerous nature of the coal industry which fueled the area's first economic prosperity.

Raleigh County was established on January 23, 1850, carved from Fayette County. Upon its chartering, the county seat was situated at Beckley, whose founder, Alfred Beckley, selected the county's name in honor of Sir Walter Raleigh. In 1850, Alfred Beckley deeded a full block of land at the heart of the city for the county courthouse. During the American Civil War, the 23rd Ohio Infantry encamped on the court green during its occupation of Beckley in the spring of 1862. The present courthouse was erected in 1936. Designed by West Virginia architect L. T. Bengston, the courthouse is an elegant expression of Art Deco style, constructed of local stone. Among the many monuments on the court green are two denoted two coal mine tragedies that took place in Raleigh County: the April 28, 1914 explosion at the Eccles Mine that killed over 180 miners (the second-worst mine disaster in West Virginia history), and the April 5, 2010 Upper Big Branch Mine Disaster which killed 29 miners. The markers bear witness to the dangerous nature of the coal industry which fueled the area's first economic prosperity.

The City of Beckley lies in the south-central region of West Virginia in its "coal country." Beckleyville was chartered by the Virginia General Assembly on April 4, 1838 and named for its founding landowner, the Beckley Family. The first member of that family to settle in the future location of the city was John Beckley, who served as the first Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1789 thru 1797. It was John Beckley's son, Alfred, who established the town in 1838. While the town was slow to grow, hampered in part by the American Civil War when it was occupied by the Union Army, Beckley rapidly developed into a bustling city in the late-19th and early-20th centuries, fueled by West Virginia's coal industry. By the mid-20th century, as coal began to decline, so too did Beckley and many similar towns and cities in the state's central and southern regions. The economy of city today relies largely on tourism, with its famous Tamarack, The Best of West Virginia artisan exhibition hall and market bringing thousands to the area annually. This business has allowed the city to revitalize its downtown area in recent years.

Established in 1872, the Raleigh Presbyterian Church was organized under the leadership of John Wallace McCreery, a prominent merchant and entrepreneur in Beckley. The church did not receive its first full-time pastoral assignment until the arrival of Rev. W.S. Patterson in 1907. Two years later, the first church building, a brick church designed in Colonial Revival Style was erected two doors south of the present building. On September 23, 1923, Beckley's Masonic Fraternity laid the cornerstone for a new house of worship, constructed of stone at a cost of $75,000.00. By this time, the church had been renamed Beckley Presbyterian Church and it was dedicated on October 2, 1923. The church is modeled closely on the First Christian Church in Beckley, which had been constructed a few years earlier. The church's portico features unique Egyptian Capitals with Acanthus leaf motifs.

The City of Beckley lies in the south-central region of West Virginia in its "coal country." Beckleyville was chartered by the Virginia General Assembly on April 4, 1838 and named for its founding landowner, the Beckley Family. The first member of that family to settle in the future location of the city was John Beckley, who served as the first Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1789 thru 1797. It was John Beckley's son, Alfred, who established the town in 1838. While the town was slow to grow, hampered in part by the American Civil War when it was occupied by the Union Army, Beckley rapidly developed into a bustling city in the late-19th and early-20th centuries, fueled by West Virginia's coal industry. By the mid-20th century, as coal began to decline, so too did Beckley and many similar towns and cities in the state's central and southern regions. The economy of city today relies largely on tourism, with its famous Tamarack, The Best of West Virginia artisan exhibition hall and market bringing thousands to the area annually. This business has allowed the city to revitalize its downtown area in recent years.


This neoclassical structure was dedicated in 1931 as a memorial to Raleigh County's veterans. The structure housed a theater and community center. In later years, the structure housed Beckley's Library, YMCA, magistrates' office, and today it serves as a church.

In 1933, a two-year junior college called Beckley College opened along South Kanawha Street. After achieving four-year status in 1991, the school was renamed the College of West Virginia and ten years later in 2001 was again renamed to Mountain State University. Though rated highly in the Princeton Review and other academic publications, Mountain State University's financial administration, and especially its excessive salary for its president led to an investigation in the school's operation which resulted in its accreditation being revoked on August 27, 2012. The University of Charleston briefly owned the former campus after Mountain State's closure. In 2015, West Virginia University purchased the campus with plans to relocate its technical college from Montgomery, West Virginia to Beckley. The school is set to open to students in the fall of 2016.

The central building of the historic campus is Carter Hall, erected in 1918 as a public school for Beckley. The stone building features a blend of Classical Revival with some Romanesque influence, especially in the massive arch surrounding the main entrance.

The City of Beckley lies in the south-central region of West Virginia in its "coal country." Beckleyville was chartered by the Virginia General Assembly on April 4, 1838 and named for its founding landowner, the Beckley Family. The first member of that family to settle in the future location of the city was John Beckley, who served as the first Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1789 thru 1797. It was John Beckley's son, Alfred, who established the town in 1838. While the town was slow to grow, hampered in part by the American Civil War when it was occupied by the Union Army, Beckley rapidly developed into a bustling city in the late-19th and early-20th centuries, fueled by West Virginia's coal industry. By the mid-20th century, as coal began to decline, so too did Beckley and many similar towns and cities in the state's central and southern regions. The economy of city today relies largely on tourism, with its famous Tamarack, The Best of West Virginia artisan exhibition hall and market bringing thousands to the area annually. This business has allowed the city to revitalize its downtown area in recent years.

Historic commercial buildings along Beckley's main street.

The City of Beckley lies in the south-central region of West Virginia in its "coal country." Beckleyville was chartered by the Virginia General Assembly on April 4, 1838 and named for its founding landowner, the Beckley Family. The first member of that family to settle in the future location of the city was John Beckley, who served as the first Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1789 thru 1797. It was John Beckley's son, Alfred, who established the town in 1838. While the town was slow to grow, hampered in part by the American Civil War when it was occupied by the Union Army, Beckley rapidly developed into a bustling city in the late-19th and early-20th centuries, fueled by West Virginia's coal industry. By the mid-20th century, as coal began to decline, so too did Beckley and many similar towns and cities in the state's central and southern regions. The economy of city today relies largely on tourism, with its famous Tamarack, The Best of West Virginia artisan exhibition hall and market bringing thousands to the area annually. This business has allowed the city to revitalize its downtown area in recent years.

The City of Beckley lies in the south-central region of West Virginia in its "coal country." Beckleyville was chartered by the Virginia General Assembly on April 4, 1838 and named for its founding landowner, the Beckley Family. The first member of that family to settle in the future location of the city was John Beckley, who served as the first Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1789 thru 1797. It was John Beckley's son, Alfred, who established the town in 1838. While the town was slow to grow, hampered in part by the American Civil War when it was occupied by the Union Army, Beckley rapidly developed into a bustling city in the late-19th and early-20th centuries, fueled by West Virginia's coal industry. By the mid-20th century, as coal began to decline, so too did Beckley and many similar towns and cities in the state's central and southern regions. The economy of city today relies largely on tourism, with its famous Tamarack, The Best of West Virginia artisan exhibition hall and market bringing thousands to the area annually. This business has allowed the city to revitalize its downtown area in recent years.

Among the oldest congregations in Beckley, First United Methodist Church was founded in 1850. The cornerstone for the present Gothic Revival styled church was laid by Beckley's Masonic Fraternity in 1929. The church today operates as part of a collaboration with three other churches in the surrounding communities of Mabscott, Sophia, and St. Mary's.

The City of Beckley lies in the south-central region of West Virginia in its "coal country." Beckleyville was chartered by the Virginia General Assembly on April 4, 1838 and named for its founding landowner, the Beckley Family. The first member of that family to settle in the future location of the city was John Beckley, who served as the first Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1789 thru 1797. It was John Beckley's son, Alfred, who established the town in 1838. While the town was slow to grow, hampered in part by the American Civil War when it was occupied by the Union Army, Beckley rapidly developed into a bustling city in the late-19th and early-20th centuries, fueled by West Virginia's coal industry. By the mid-20th century, as coal began to decline, so too did Beckley and many similar towns and cities in the state's central and southern regions. The economy of city today relies largely on tourism, with its famous Tamarack, The Best of West Virginia artisan exhibition hall and market bringing thousands to the area annually. This business has allowed the city to revitalize its downtown area in recent years.

The foundation of Beckleyville, later Raleigh Courthouse and finally, the city of Beckley was laid at Wildwood, the plantation of Alfred Beckley. Erected in 1835 by John Lilly Sr. of Bluefield, West Virginia, Wildwood was originally called Park Place, but was renamed Wildwood by its first inhabitant, Alfred Beckley. The house is of vernacular design with Greek Revival influences in its general form, square transom, and shallow pitched roof. The house was expanded to its present size in 1874. Today, Wildwood is preserved as a historical museum dedicated to the founder of Beckley and the person credited with the establishment of Raleigh County.

The City of Beckley lies in the south-central region of West Virginia in its "coal country." Beckleyville was chartered by the Virginia General Assembly on April 4, 1838 and named for its founding landowner, the Beckley Family. The first member of that family to settle in the future location of the city was John Beckley, who served as the first Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1789 thru 1797. It was John Beckley's son, Alfred, who established the town in 1838. While the town was slow to grow, hampered in part by the American Civil War when it was occupied by the Union Army, Beckley rapidly developed into a bustling city in the late-19th and early-20th centuries, fueled by West Virginia's coal industry. By the mid-20th century, as coal began to decline, so too did Beckley and many similar towns and cities in the state's central and southern regions. The economy of city today relies largely on tourism, with its famous Tamarack, The Best of West Virginia artisan exhibition hall and market bringing thousands to the area annually. This business has allowed the city to revitalize its downtown area in recent years.

This neoclassical structure was dedicated in 1931 as a memorial to Raleigh County's veterans. The structure housed a theater and community center. In later years, the structure housed Beckley's Library, YMCA, magistrates' office, and today it serves as a church.

The City of Beckley lies in the south-central region of West Virginia in its "coal country." Beckleyville was chartered by the Virginia General Assembly on April 4, 1838 and named for its founding landowner, the Beckley Family. The first member of that family to settle in the future location of the city was John Beckley, who served as the first Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1789 thru 1797. It was John Beckley's son, Alfred, who established the town in 1838. While the town was slow to grow, hampered in part by the American Civil War when it was occupied by the Union Army, Beckley rapidly developed into a bustling city in the late-19th and early-20th centuries, fueled by West Virginia's coal industry. By the mid-20th century, as coal began to decline, so too did Beckley and many similar towns and cities in the state's central and southern regions. The economy of city today relies largely on tourism, with its famous Tamarack, The Best of West Virginia artisan exhibition hall and market bringing thousands to the area annually. This business has allowed the city to revitalize its downtown area in recent years.

The foundation of Beckleyville, later Raleigh Courthouse and finally, the city of Beckley was laid at Wildwood, the plantation of Alfred Beckley. Erected in 1835 by John Lilly Sr. of Bluefield, West Virginia, Wildwood was originally called Park Place, but was renamed Wildwood by its first inhabitant, Alfred Beckley. The house is of vernacular design with Greek Revival influences in its general form, square transom, and shallow pitched roof. The house was expanded to its present size in 1874. Today, Wildwood is preserved as a historical museum dedicated to the founder of Beckley and the person credited with the establishment of Raleigh County.