Whitesville, WV

Whitesville is a small Boone County community tucked deep into the valley along the Big Coal River. Steep, forested hills rise on either side of town, giving it a peaceful, secluded setting. Route 3 serves as the main road through the valley, connecting residents to neighboring hollows and offering a straightforward drive toward Beckley. Daily life revolves around a compact footprint along the river, where kids still attend the historic Whitesville Elementary, a distinctive 1930s schoolhouse known for its striking Art Deco architecture.

Coal mining runs through nearly every chapter of the town's history. Whitesville is home to the Upper Big Branch Miners Memorial, a well-kept roadside plaza dedicated to the 29 miners lost in the 2010 disaster. Today, it remains a quiet and neighborly mountain town, well suited for folks who value close community ties, a slower pace of living, and easy access to local fishing, hiking, and ATV trails.