This Spooky Small Town In Virginia Could Be Right Out Of A Horror Movie
By Beth|Published September 16, 2016
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Beth
Author
A lifelong Virginia resident, Beth loves exploring different parts of the world and currently resides in Charlottesville. She holds a degree in English Literature and one of her short stories has been featured in the Shenandoah Review. Other interests include hiking, songwriting, and spending time in the mountains.
By definition, small towns in Virginia are charming, friendly, and some of the most beautiful parts of our state. And yet there’s something about them that evokes a sense of mystery. It’s almost as though being quaint can often be misconstrued as eerie. Then again, there are some small towns that just beg for the imagination to wander. That seems to be the case with Clifton Forge, a rural small town with plenty of room for the mind to run wild. In fact, there was even a horror movie released in 2013 that used this town as its setting. Learn more about Clifton Forge’s unique, and possibly haunted, history:
Located in Alleghany County, Clifton Forge is a small town nestled in the beautiful hills of the Roanoke region. One of the main features of the town is its proximity to the Jackson River. This designated Clifton Forge as prime location for what once was Jackson’s River Station.
The town was officially incorporated in 1906, but the area has a history that dates back almost two centuries prior. Settlement coincided with development of the iron industry in Allegheny County as well as the completion of U.S. Route 60.
With the green of the mountains and the beautiful river, it’s no secret why Clifton Forge is often known as a Highlands Treasure. Residents and visitors alike enjoy a high quality of life, a great school system, and the surrounding nature beauty.
As is the case with many small towns in Virginia, there's something intangible and spooky about Clifton Forge. Perhaps that's why the directors of the recent horror film "Mama" chose Clifton Forge for the set location. (Pictured above is a still frame from the movie.) The premise of the film dwells on the backwoods of this Allegheny land, implying that to be exactly where paranormal activity awaits.
Many visitors and residents of Clifton Forge agree that although there's no designated haunted attraction or one notoriously spooky tale, there seems to be a lingering feeling that just about any corner could be haunted.
It's places such as the railway station that especially give off this feeling. In fact, the railroad heritage is one of the most defining characteristics of this small town. During its heyday, the Chesapeake & Ohio railway employed nearly 2,000 people. Today, Clifton Forge houses the Chesapeake & Ohio Historical Society. C&O Train 614 is photographed above, looking equal parts stoic and haunted.
So what do you think? Are these dimly-lit streets as calm and quiet as they appear, or is there something else to them? It may be difficult to prove that Clifton Forge is truly haunted, but it seems no mystery as to why it made such a perfect movie set.
Whether or not you find Clifton Forge to be a particularly eerie small town, it’s undoubtedly a memorable and beautiful place to live and visit. It’s always fascinating to take a look at some of the more haunted histories of these small towns which are so interwoven with Virginia’s identity. If you have had any paranormal experiences in or around Clifton Forge, be sure to share them!
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