WHY BARBOUR COUNTY

Barbour County is thriving and growing each year welcoming new industry and supporting those that provide a basis for continued economic development in the region. Located in the heart of north-central West Virginia, Barbour County offers a variety of natural, scenic, cultural, and historic attractions.

The county has a rich coal mining heritage and its economy is largely based on mining, wood products and agriculture. The landscape consists of over 90,000 acres of forest land and free flowing rivers and streams. The Tygart Valley River winds its way through the heart of Barbour County, offering opportunities for fishing, swimming, boating, kayaking, hiking, canoeing, and whitewater rafting. Hikers, bikers and sight-seekers will enjoy the many miles of available trails at Audra State Park, Teter Creek Lake, and Pleasant Creek Wildlife Management Area. Philippi offers a Civil War & Historic Homes Walking Tour and both Philippi and Belington are developing additional hiking and biking trails for future use.

The First Land Battle of the Civil War took place in Philippi, the county seat, on June 3, 1861. Another campaign was waged at Laurel Mountain near Belington. The Philippi Historical District, along with the Philippi Covered Bridge (one of two covered bridges in the county) were recently named to the National Civil War Discovery Trail.