“Coal Town, USA”: Doesn’t sound like the most appealing place to visit, right? What with all those miners trudging around, pickaxes over their shoulders, hard hats off-kilter, their bodies saturated with black dust. At least, that’s the image that locals of Welch, West Virginia, are trying to change.
At first glance, Welch might resemble many former mining communities scattered across Appalachia, an area grappling with severe opioid issues. In the 1940s, this town was a vibrant hub for coal miners, supporting around 6,000 residents. Today, however, its population has shrunk to approximately half that size at just over 3,300 people. Present-day images of downtown show dilapidated buildings compared to its past glory days when it rightfully earned its nickname as “Little New York.”
U.S. Library of Congress
Even labels Welch as “distressed,” an official economic term utilized by the
Distressed Communities Index
(DCI) suggesting a significant poverty level and widespread economic difficulties.
But this is not Welch’s whole story — not if certain key residents have anything to say about it. Individuals like Welch Mayor Harold McBride, business developer Jason Grubb, artists like Tom Acosta, and doubtlessly countless more within the fabric of the town, are doing their best to revitalize Welch. They want Welch to be a vibrant place full of food, art, outdoor activities, and historical relevance for tourists and for themselves. After all,
Other mining towns such as Nevada City in Montana have been revitalized once more.
So why not Welch? It’s the sort of place that could be worthwhile visiting if you have the opportunity.
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Exploring Welch’s Cuisine, Culture, and Eccentricities
From a bird’s-eye view provided by Google, Welch includes familiar sights such as a McDonald’s, a Pizza Hut, a discount store, and several supermarkets. Yet, it also boasts impressive establishments like the Sterling Drive-In Diner, which offers mouthwatering cuisine; Rosco’s Soul Food, known for its robust and fiery dishes; and The Fortress, an indoor venue designed for activities including Nerf battles, axe-throwing, and all sorts of fun chaos—though unfortunately, this place shut down (ideally just temporarily) in February 2025 because of flood damage. These spots suggest that Welch might be transforming from “Coal Town, USA” into what locals hope will become “Cool Town, USA.”
Regarding this point, notable inhabitants of Welch have been striving to turn Welch into a bona fide tourist attraction. In 2021, Mayor Harold McBride established “Team Welch” with the aim of revitalizing the town and restoring its charm. “We’re here to improve things, everyone,” he stated.
Blue Ridge County
Quotes him. McBride went as far as purchasing the mentioned Sterling Drive-in to keep it operational, guaranteeing that guests can enjoy some comforting food during their visits. At the very least, the town aims to avoid turning into
A genuine ghost town akin to Burke, Idaho.
.
Tom Acosta and his renowned Welch mural (featured above) have also contributed to the rejuvenation of Welch. This mural can be seen from Welch’s streetcar, which functions as genuine public transport rather than merely a tourist attraction. Additionally, the Jack Caffrey Arts & Cultural Center organizes various events and exhibits with the aim of “reviving our legacy and envisioning our future through art and education.”
Welch city website
The town has an annual play titled “Terror of the Tug,” which dramatizes the events of the West Virginia Mine Wars from 1912 to 1921.
Exploring The Rural Areas Near Welch
If you look at Welch on a map, you’ll immediately realize it’s exactly what “right in the middle of nowhere” means. However, for bold adventurers and nature enthusiasts, this isolation is actually quite appealing. Nestled in southwestern West Virginia close to where West Virginia, Virginia, and Kentucky meet, the nearest big city is far from here.
The capital of West Virginia, Charleston, ranks among the most budget-friendly locations in the U.S.
Located two hours away by car, Charleston serves as an excellent starting point for your Welsh adventure.
If you decide to visit Welch to explore what the town offers, you would greatly regret not taking full advantage of the surrounding natural splendor. Welch is nearly encircled by numerous nature reserves such as the vast George Washington & Jefferson National Forest—a sprawling 1.8 million acres of gentle hills and mountain ranges perfect for hiking and camping located roughly two hours away from Welch. Additionally, there’s the more compact New River Gorge National Park and Preserve along with Pisgah National Forest, Cherokee National Forest, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Berwind Lake Wildlife Management Area, and many others—all situated within a four-hour drive from Welch. This part of Virginia essentially consists of an extensive network of woodlands.
For those who love ATVs — because let’s face it, they’re thrilling — the extensive Hatfield-McCoy trail network winds through West Virginia. You can easily rent ATVs here, with trails catering to every skill level. Welch enhances this experience by linking several trail systems together using the Warrior Trail System, a fitting title reflecting the community’s tenacious character.
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original article on Islands
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