Bancroft, WV

Set along the banks of the Kanawha River in Putnam County, Bancroft is a small, quiet community with roughly 400 residents. The town started out in the 1800s as a riverside coal settlement, briefly named Energetic before adopting the name of a local mine operator. Long after the mines closed, Bancroft settled into a steady, residential rhythm that continues today.

ATTRWvfunnyman / CC BY-SA 3.0

Life here revolves around the water, with locals heading down to the Kanawha for easy boating and fishing. The center of town features a community park and ball field, while the longstanding volunteer fire department serves as a trusted local staple. It offers a peaceful, slower-paced setting that still keeps you within a convenient drive of everyday shopping and services throughout the county.