Southern West Virginia facts for kids
Southern West Virginia is a special area in the state of West Virginia. It has a rich history of coal mining and shares many cultural similarities with the Southern United States. This region is also very close to Southwest Virginia and Eastern Kentucky. It's also not far from Western North Carolina and East Tennessee.
This cultural and historical region includes many counties: Boone, Fayette, Greenbrier, Lincoln, Logan, McDowell, Mercer, Cabell, Mingo, Monroe, Nicholas, Raleigh, Kanawha, Wayne, Summers, and Wyoming.
The biggest city in Southern West Virginia is Charleston, located in Kanawha County. After Charleston, the next largest cities are Huntington in Cabell County, and then Beckley in Raleigh County.
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Fun Places to Visit in Southern West Virginia
Southern West Virginia offers many exciting places to visit and explore. These include natural wonders, famous structures, and unique attractions.
Natural Wonders and Outdoor Adventures
- New River Gorge: A deep canyon carved by the New River, perfect for outdoor activities.
- Summersville Lake: A large lake where you can enjoy boating, swimming, and other water sports.
- Winterplace Ski Resort: A popular spot for skiing and snowboarding during the winter months.
Famous Structures and Unique Attractions
- New River Gorge Bridge: An amazing bridge that spans the New River Gorge. It's one of the longest arch bridges in the world!
- Tamarack, Best of West Virginia: A unique center that showcases the best of West Virginia's arts, crafts, and food.
- Lake Shawnee Abandoned Amusement Park: An old, abandoned amusement park with a mysterious history.
- The Greenbrier: A historic and luxurious resort known for its beautiful grounds and long history.
Sports Teams in the Region
Southern West Virginia is home to a few sports teams that play in local leagues:
- Bluefield Blue Jays
- Princeton Rays
- West Virginia Miners
Colleges and Universities in Southern West Virginia
Southern West Virginia has several colleges and universities where students can continue their education after high school. These schools offer a variety of programs and degrees.
Higher Education Institutions
- Marshall University
- Appalachian Bible College
- Bluefield State University
- Bridgemont Community and Technical College
- Concord University
- University of Charleston–Beckley
- New River Community and Technical College
- Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College
- West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
- West Virginia University Institute of Technology
Important Historical Events and Landmarks
Southern West Virginia has a rich history with several famous events and landmarks that have shaped the region.
Key Historical Events
- Hatfield–McCoy feud: A well-known conflict between two families that lasted for many years.
- John Henry: The legendary story of a "steel-driving man" who raced against a steam-powered drill.
- West Virginia coal wars: A series of labor conflicts between coal miners and coal companies, which were very important for workers' rights.
