This marker near Nitro City Hall and the fire department points out some of the earliest colonial…read moreand settlement history of the area. The front of the marker reads, "Military Survey. December 1, 1773, George Washington patented 21,941 acres known as the "Pocatalico Survey." Included were the present sites of Nitro, Sattes, Poca and Cross Lanes. The tract was divided among eight former officers who served in the French and Indian War (1754-1763): Adam Stephen, John Savage, Andrew Lewis, John Wilper, Thomas Bullitt, Peter Hogg, William Wright and John Fry." And the reverse, "Nitro. Founded Nov. 1, 1917 as site of U. S. Govt. "Explosive Plant C." Thompson Sterratt Co. finished job in eleven months with work force of 110,000. Project included a town to support a population of 24,000 and cost $60 million. Plant operated by Hercules Powder Co. made 350 tons of cannon powder daily. Bought by Charleston Industrial Corp. Nov. 1919 and resold to Monsanto, FMC and Fike cos." The marker was erected in 1982 by West Virginia Department of Culture and History. Nitro's wartime construction brought an unusually diverse workforce into the Kanawha Valley, with government records noting employees from every state and 41 nationalities, many staying only about 40 days before moving on. After the Armistice halted production, Nitro transitioned into a civilian chemical-industry hub and today, the city blends its military origins with recreation and tourism reflecting a shift toward service-based amenities while preserving its boomtown history. [Review 929 of 2026 - 238 in West Virginia - 26109 overall]

Early afternoon, I crossed the Richard J. "Dick" Henderson Memorial Bridge, the span tying Saint…read moreAlbans on the south bank to Nitro on the north. It isn't one of the big Kanawha River crossings like up in Charleston, but the 1998 steel girder design feels steady, practical, and built for everyday traffic rather than showpiece architecture to support a crossing carrying an interstate. The bridge carries the name of Dick Henderson, a longtime Saint Albans civic figure and former mayor remembered for pushing community development, supporting local businesses and helping modernize the town during the mid 20th century. Even with its modest profile, the crossing gives you a clean view of the river, moves smoothly, and like the others along this stretch of the Kanawha, it's toll-free, making it an easy and straightforward way to get between the two cities. [Review 913 of 2026 - 225 in West Virginia - 26094 overall]

Sunday afternoon and still open for business, but I had places to be so I stuck to the perimeter…read moreafter parking and focused on the historic Putnam County Courthouse, which is absolutely the star of the show here in Winfield. It was built in 1900 after the original courthouse was lost to a windstorm. It is a Frank Pierce Milburn* design in full Romanesque Revival style, complete with brickwork, a hip roof and those great octagonal corner towers that give it a distinctive profile. Even without going inside, it's one of those buildings that immediately feels important, the kind of courthouse that anchors a town's identity and makes you glad you took a few minutes to detour off the highway and walk around it. There's also a modern Judicial Building adjacent that handles most of the day-to-day court operations, but the historic courthouse is easily the more impressive structure and the one worth stopping for if you're passing through. Winfield has been the county seat since Putnam County was formed in 1848, and seeing both buildings side by side gives a nice sense of how the county's history and its present coexist. Even a quick lap around the grounds makes it clear why this courthouse has held its place for more than a century. *I've seen dozens of Milburn courthouses including the Bland County Courthouse and the Wythe County Courthouse in Virginia, the Rowan County and Burke County Courthouse in North Carolina, the Wilkes County Courthouse in Georgia and the Boyd County Courthouse in Kentucky. And more. [Round number review 26100 overall - 919 of 2026 - 230 in West Virginia]

If you're cruising through South Charleston and spot a big grassy hill tucked between antique shops…read moreand quiet streets, that's the Criel Mound. It's worth a stop. It's not flashy, but there's something grounding about standing next to a structure built over 2,000 years ago by the aboriginal people. The steps leading up are wide and gentle, and once you reach the top, you get a surprisingly peaceful view of the neighborhood. It's a quick visit. The mound itself is steeped in mystery and history. Archaeologists found 13 skeletons inside, including a central figure surrounded by others. There's a small park around the mound with interpretive signs that give you just enough context to spark curiosity. Some locals say horse races were once held around it, and there's even talk of burials that might represent alliances between different tribes. It's wild to think about how much has happened on that patch of earth, and how little we still know. The Criel Mound stands to quietly anchor the town. Kids run up the steps, people are walking dogs, and there's me, pausing to read the plaques. There is a sense of reverence here if you feel it. It's not at all a playground. [Review 569 of 2025 - 154 in West Virginia - 24130 overall]

The Criel Mound is a historic and cultural gem nestled in South Charleston, WV…read more The small park which houses it has plenty of street parking available and several interpretive signs around the mound explaining its history, importance, and what archaeologists discovered inside the mound when excavating. The mound is the second largest Adena mound in West Virginia and is believed to have been developed between 250 and 150 B.C. The Criel Mound was originally one of 50 mounds and prehistoric earthworks located in WV but unfortunately most have since been destroyed due to industrialization. It's definitely worth a visit (plan on about 30 minutes) if you're in the area.

**April 2025: Midweek Morning Visit**…read more The Capitol Building itself is really impressive (5 stars for the building itself). It's super grand and beautiful; however, the start of my visit was really rocky, so hopefully this review can make your experience more streamlined. Parking There were many spots for patrons to park; however, you need to scan the QR code to pay for parking and it asks you which parking lot (which there were no signs). We asked a someone who passed by what the lot was called and she directed us to the parking attendant on the other side of the lot. He informed us we were in the DMV lot (which wasn't clearly posted anywhere). After about 15 minutes of trying to figure it out we finally paid. Capitol Building The Capitol Dome is very prominent, but after walking up maybe 50 stairs we found out that visitors cannot enter from the front. There were a lot of buildings so we didn't know where to enter. As we walked around we saw a group of kids from buses and followed them to a side building. There was a small temporary picket sign on the ground that pointed guests to the side building, but even that side building didn't have any markings. All guests go through security and all belongings needed to go through the machine. Tours I did my research on the website and it stated that parties smaller than 10 can come up for a tour. They offer them every half hour from 9am-12pm and 1pm to 3pm. However, on my visit there were at least 300 students visiting that day for a conference/field trip and no tour guides were available. My recommendation is during the week of your visit to give them a call and ask if they have scheduled visitors. I was kind of bummed that we had to miss it, so my friend and I did our own tour. bround 45 minutes later when we were ready to leave, one of the capitol's workers was giving a tour and asked if we'd like to join so that was a plus! Gift Shop The capitol doesn't have a designated gift shop or Capitol merch - which was a bummer. The info desk representative pointed us to the Culture Center Gift shop. I was looking for some memorabilia to bring home to my family and settled on a magnet. I think when I went to the Alaska capitol they had a good assortment so I was kinda bummed. Summary The place is beautiful and I hope on your visit it'll be a smoother process than mine. Cheers!

I travel frequently, but I have never been inside a state capital. They have tours or you can just…read morewalk around common areas. This was one of the most beautiful buildings that I have been in. West Virginia also has a State History Museum that is a one minute walk away.

This marker is along a curvy road at the peak of the hill. It is set back from the road a little…read morebit and needing some clearing. There is some space to pull over to stop and read the marker. The marker reads, "White Oak Fuel Company built the Oakwood Mine Complex in 1902. In 1915, 21 miners died when gas in the mine exploded. A year later, the original wooden tipple was upgraded to a multi-story steel structure. New River Company ran the mine after absorbing White Oak Fuel, a subsidiary, in 1936. Peak output was 515,936 tons in 1940. The mine shut down in 1965." The maker was erected in 2012 by West Virginia Department of Abandoned Mine Lands and the West Virginia Department of Archives & History. [Review 19615 overall - 89 in West Virginia - 586 of 2023.]

There are actually two bridges here, carrying I-64 / I-77 across the Kanawha River just south of…read moreCharleston. They are unique, steel-through arches, with the first completed in 1954. The second, parallel, bridge was completed in 1983. Each is two lanes and there is no toll to cross the bridges. Named after the aviator who was the first to fly faster than sound, https://youtu.be/zgR-KadhgMI, US Air Force Brigadier General Charles "Chuck" Yeager. His birthplace of Myra WV is about 40 miles west of here. He is laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. The bridges are a very boring green, almost Army olive. They are scheduled to be repainted this year in the official colors of West Virginia, blue and gold. [Review 19618 overall - 92 in West Virginia - 589 of 2023.]

This is a cool breeze that I've traveled over numerous times man traveling through West Virginia on…read morethe way to Pittsburgh go Steelers can't go wrong with that this is a cooler bridge it's green text you over the water does what a bridge should do four out of five stars good for you bridge

Noelle Robinson is a perfect fit for managing the Teen Zone. I have a kid that hangs in there some…read moretimes, usually with a friend and I feel comfortable leaving my kid in there for a couple hours. Security is active. My kid always makes new friends over there. Noelle Robinson isn't too old to where the kids don't like her, a common theme in that age range. She's not too strict either, and it is really important for kids 12-18 to have established boundaries for the zone but not feel restricted. They have plenty of gaming equipment, free snacks and drinks, comfortable seating, the teens have a blast. N.R deserves a raise and she's a kind person who is a good influence to our growing generations.

Holy smokes. This is West Virginia. I was not expecting to find one of the most modern and fancy…read morelibraries I've ever seen! It looks like a classic boring 1900's library from the outside but inside are smooth lines, workstations, subtle lighting and lots of up-to-date bookshelves. Great seating and a friendly library who booked a private study room for me (I learned that it can be done through the website) where I did a couple Zoom calls without disturbing my fellow library patrons. Lots of books, fast wifi and yes, they even have a TOOL library where you cab borrow shovels and rakes and stuff. What? Yes! [Review 19620 overall - 94 in West Virginia - 591 of 2023.]