Beckley Facts
Fact 1: Residents and visitors to Beckley enjoy several local events throughout the year that have garnered the area regional and national recognition. The town hosts Captain Thurmond's Challenge, a biking, rafting and marathon event; the West Virginia Highland Games and Celtic Festival each summer; and the Appalachian Coal Town Christmas & Light Festival, which has been showcased on the Home and Garden Channel.
Fact 2: Coal mining has long been an integral part of the regions economy and culture and residents showcase this industrial past and local development in the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine & Coal Camp. Visitors can travel beneath the town in a maintained coal mine dating from the 19th century and see exhibitions of the development of mining and its impact on the local economy and residents' lives.
Fact 3: Once a quaint residential avenue, Neville Street quickly became a busy commercial center following an increase in coal production and industrial development in the early 20th century. The street was home to numerous shops and department stores and named in honor of town founder Alfred Beckley's father-in-law, Neville Craig, who served as editor of the ‘Pittsburgh Gazette.' Today, Neville Street offers visitors a chance to see the past and present of Beckley through historic buildings, homes and exhibitions.
Fact 4: Beckley has a long and storied history and was home to Native Americans through the region into the 1700s. Their warpath crossed Raleigh County, passing through what is now the city of Beckley. According to legend, Shawnee braves painted trees along the route with the blood of their victims, leading to the name Paint Creek Trail. The town of Beckley was created in the 1830's when wealthy industrialist Alfred Beckley formed what was then "Beckleyville."
Fact 5: During the American Civil War, Beckley (then Beckleyville) saw a great deal of action and military maneuvers. Several Civil War monuments around the city honor those who fought and died in the conflict. Civil War markers are placed on historic Courthouse Square, the Davis Cottages, Hull and Keffer Houses and Wildwood. The town also maintains a Union Cemetery.
Fact 6: Historic Downtown Beckley offers a wealth of sightseeing, shopping and leisure activities while also preserving the history and culture of the town. When visiting Beckley, guests are encouraged to stroll through town to get a feel for the intersection of past and present. Popular throughways include Heber Street, Main Street, Fayette Street and Kanawha Street.
Fact 7: The Youth Museum of Southern West Virginia offers a variety of exhibits for the development and enrichment of young guests. Hosting a diversity of classes, discussions and exhibits, the museum also houses a planetarium. Nearby Wildwood House, former home of Alfred Beckley, draws the development of the town and its growth through the decades.
Fact 8: Just as history is a vital part of Beckley culture, residents also take great pride in the region's arts and cultural offerings. Theatre West Virginia, the state performing arts company, entertains thousands each summer at the outdoor dramas "Honey in the Rock" and "Hatfields and McCoys" and through other intermittent musicals. Soldier's Memorial Theatre & Arts Centre was recently launched as a center for education, performances and exhibitions. Raleigh County is also home to a variety of galleries and small performance spaces.
Fact 9: Tamarack is the nation's first and only statewide collection of handmade crafts, arts and cuisines showcasing the culture of Beckley and its region of West Virginia. Visitors can see hand-carved furniture, local crafts such as glass and pottery making and hand-made quilts. The destination also features special performances, demonstrations and art and entertainment events. Tamarack also serves up a delectable menu of regional specialty foods and products.
Fact 10: Beckley offers outdoor lovers a range of recreational pursuits among the quiet forests, roaring rivers, and scenic trails that dot the local landscape. Popular outdoor activities include fishing, rafting and kayaking, hunting, hiking and snow and water skiing.
