Most of West Virgina’s lakes are not natural lakes, but rather were created to help control the flow of the state’s rivers. Before the dams were built, unpredictable flooding did damage to many towns. However, some little river towns had to be destroyed when the lakes were created. Read on to learn the story of Shaw, West Virginia.

The Jennings Randolph Lake is a beautiful lake and recreation area in Mineral County, West Virginia.
WikiMedia Commons/Brian M. Powell
The dam that created the lake was built to control flooding in the towns along the North Branch Potomac River.
WikiMedia Commons/Famartin
However, there was one little community that had to be flooded in order to create the lake.
Shaw, West Virginia
The town had been home to a number of families for several generations.
Shaw, West Virginia
Pictured here is the James Murray Family.
After a railway station was added, the small community started to blossom.
Shaw, West Virginia

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A coal mine and a lumber company provided jobs to the area.
Shaw, West Virginia
This was the tipple used by the Deep Run Mine in Shaw. The photo taken about 1920 .
There was a barber shop that sometime also served as a post office.
Shaw, West Virginia
Two churches, a school, and the general stores served as centers for social life in the town.
Shaw, West Virginia
The town was flooded on July 1, 1981 after the dam was completed to create the lake that we see today.
WikiMedia Commons/Famartin
Shaw may be gone, but it still lives on in the memories of those who once lived there.
Joseph (Buck) Miller
This artwork was created by Joseph (Buck) Miller, who drew many of the spots around town from old photos and from his memory.

You can see more of Buck’s drawings of the town here, or take a look around the Shaw, West Virginia website for more photos and history. All photos here used with permission.

For another underwater town in West Virginia, check out the story of Gad, which was buried by Summersville Lake.

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