Just like you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, you should never judge a town by the number of people who live there. As it turns out, there are several tiny towns in West Virginia where huge things happened. It’s true! Not all of the state’s history-making events occurred in larger cities. Need proof? We thought so, which is why we compiled a list of 11 tiny towns in West Virginia where huge things happened.

1. Eccles, population 362
Gene/Flickr
Eccles is the site of a mining disaster that took the lives of 180 men on April 28, 1914. It’s the second-worst mining disaster in the state’s history.
2. Shinnston, population 2,201
Tim Kiser
Shinnston is the site of the deadliest tornado in West Virginia history. The storm, on June 23, 1944, killed 66 people in the town and surrounding area. In total, 103 people were killed and 430 were seriously injured.
3. Kenova, population 3,216
Youngamerican
A hillside in Kenova was the crash site of a plane carrying the 1970 Marshall University football team. The tragic accident occurred on November 14, 1970, as the team was returning from a game. Sadly, all 75 people on board were killed when the plane crashed into the hillside, just a short distance from Tri-State Airport.
4. Matewan, population 499
Syndey Poore
Matewan was the site of a 1920 shootout between local miners and the Baldwin-Felts Detective Agency. The incident is referred to as the Battle of Matewan or the Matewan Massacre. Ten people were killed during the incident, including two miners, the mayor, and seven agents from the Bald-Felts agency.
5. Benwood, population 1,420
Joanne C. Sullivan/Flickr
No list of tiny towns in West Virginia where huge things happened would be complete without Benwood. The town of roughly 1,400 was the site of a huge mining disaster. The horrific accident occurred in 1924, when the Benwood Mine exploded, claiming the lives of 119 coal miners. There were no survivors. It’s the third-worst coal disaster in state history. The blast was reportedly caused by the ignition of methane gas and coal dust and occurred at around 7:05 a.m., about a half hour after the morning shift of miners started working for the day.

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6. Mount Hope, population 1,414
Tim Kiser
Mount Hope in Fayette County was the site of a devastating fire that demolished the town in five hours. The fire broke out on March 24, 1910. Among the burned buildings, were the town’s high school, a hotel, several businesses, and many houses. According to news reports from the time, the town had a population of nearly 600, and after the blaze, 500 were left homeless.
7. Monongah, population 1,044
Beppeveltri
Monongah is the site of the worst mining disaster in American history. On December 6, 1907, an explosion at the mine killed 367 people. Most of the men died instantly.
8. Farmington, population 375
city-data.com
A mine disaster on November 20, 1968, killed 78 miners. The explosion at the mine was so big that it was felt almost 12 miles away in Fairmont! The accident was a catalyst for several laws that were later passed to protect miners.
9. Bartley, population 224
Coal Town Guy
Bartley, which is located in McDowell County, is the site of one of the deadliest mine disasters in the country’s history. The Pond Creek #1 mine exploded on January 10, 1940, killing 91 miners. The cause of the blast was determined to be a gas pocket that had built up and was ignited by a spark.
10. Belmont, population 903
Mike/Flickr
The closest city to Willow Island, Belmont is an unincorporated place that was the site of the Willow Island Disaster. In 1978, a cooling tower, which was under construction at a Belmont power station, collapsed and killed 51 workers. The tragedy was deemed the biggest construction accident in the country’s history.
11. Ripley, population 3,252
CountyCriminal
Ripley in Jackson County was the site of the last public hanging in the state. In 1897, John Morgan was hanged for murder. About 5,000 people came to watch the event, which was written about in a national newspaper. The spectacle caused the state legislature to outlaw public executions not long after.

So, were you familiar with these tiny towns in West Virginia where huge things happened? Do you know of any other tiny towns in West Virginia where huge things happened? Let us know!

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Towns In West Virginia Where Huge Things Happened

Daniella DiRienzo | April 30, 2021

What are the most charming small towns in West Virginia?

There seems to be no shortage of great small towns in West Virginia - and Hinton is one of them. Brimming with history, charm, and things to do, it’s got something for everyone. A Victorian-era railroad town, Hinton is filled with impressive architecture. Not lacking in sites and attractions, visitors to Hinton can enjoy coal heritage tours, spectacular shopping, delicious dining, and charming B&Bs and hotels. What’s more, Hinton offers convenient access to New River Gorge National Park, Winterplace Ski Resort, and Bluestone National Park.

What are some fun day trips in West Virginia?

West Virginia is full of places that make great day trip destinations, including Prickett's Fort State Park in Fairmont. Basically the best of both worlds, the park boasts 188 acres of beautiful scenery as well as a reconstructed refuge fort. Modeled after a fort from the 1700s, the shelter offers visitors a whole new understanding of colonial history. A great place to get in touch with nature, the expansive park boasts plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun, including several hiking trails and picnic tables.

Are there any unique places in West Virginia that shouldn’t be missed?

No place in West Virginia is quite as unique as the Mothman Museum in Point Pleasant. As the "the world's only Mothman museum,” it’s truly one-of-a-kind. A must-see, the museum houses the biggest collection of memorabilia and props from the movie, "The Mothman Prophecies." There’s also lots of information on the state’s most infamous (and elusive) resident, including eye-witness accounts, historical documents, press clippings, and more. For those seeking a firsthand understanding of the state’s coal mine history, Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine is a must-see. The unique attraction offers visitors the chance to head underground and learn all about the daily responsibilities of miners from the past and present. The grounds also include a period coal camp and gift shop.

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Featured Addresses
Eccles, WV 25836, USA
Shinnston, WV 26431, USA
Kenova, WV, USA
Matewan, WV, USA
Benwood, WV, USA
Mt Hope, WV, USA
Monongah, WV 26554, USA
Farmington, WV, USA
Bartley, WV 24879, USA
Belmont, WV, USA
Ripley, WV, USA