Cadiz offers small-town charm an hour outside of Pittsburgh
Cadiz is the largest community in Harrison County, even though the population is only around 3,000. The quiet village is located in a section of the Ohio River Valley where life moves slowly, and rustic towns are surrounded by outdoor attractions. "Cadiz is a small village, and that smallness is our strength," says Mayor Kevin Jones. "It's the kind of place where folks wave as you drive by and lend a hand when you need it." Just over an hour outside Pittsburgh, the community is popular with commuting workers who want a small-town life or the chance to own some land. "People here appreciate the peaceful, safe environment and our strong local schools," Mayor Jones says.
Historic homes near downtown, acreage farther out
The median home price for the area is $150,000. In the heart of town, hilly streets are lined with sidewalks, and houses are relatively close together. American Foursquares, vintage bungalows and National Folk designs date to the early 1900s. Around the edges of Cadiz, ranch-style and manufactured homes are more common. Outside village limits, homes with several acres have private septic tanks, and broadband coverage can be limited. Houses needing renovations or manufactured homes can go for under $100,000, with prices getting up to $200,000 for properties built after the 1990s. Rustic hunting lodges and luxury estates on 30-plus acres can range from $600,000 to $1 million.
Career-focused courses at Harrison Central schools
Harrison Central Elementary School receives a C-plus grade from Niche. C-rated Harrison Central Junior/Senior High School serves seventh through 12th grade. High school students can take specialty courses at the local Harrison Career Center, including agricultural mechanics, construction trades and visual graphics.
Golf, lakes and rural outdoor fun in the Ohio River Valley
Sally Buffalo Park is a popular campsite for RVs, but locals also enjoy the park's walking trails, fishing lakes and picnic pavilions. Its performance stage has a summer lineup of local artists and cover bands, and there's a fireworks show for the Fourth of July. Golfers can enjoy the 18-hole course at Cadiz Country Club, which is open to the public. The surrounding hills of the Ohio River Valley have multiple spots for hunting and fishing, including Tappan Lake Park, just over 10 miles away.
The retail scene blends small-town flavor with signs of growth
Main Street is lined with a few boutiques and local restaurants. In addition to its made-to-order food, Christopher's Farm Goods & Provisions has a fridge selling fresh produce from local farms. Timi's Café is housed in an old historic church, with colorful light filtering in from stained glass windows and high, arched ceilings. For groceries, there's Dollar General and Sander's Markets, a regional grocery chain. A bit further out of town, Ice Cream Island is well known for its mason jar milkshakes. A new Dunkin' Donuts opened in 2025, which Jones says is part of a larger trend of growth. "We've recently seen an increase in business growth and career opportunities," he says. "And I believe this will make Cadiz a place where people won't have to leave town to get groceries or good food in the near future." For now, locals can find large grocery stores and a major shopping mall in Saint Clairsville, just over 15 miles south.
Street fairs, carnival rides and celebrating Clark Gable
Every third Friday, Uptown Cadiz is a street fair with vendors, live music and family-friendly activities. Originally a summer event, the popular fair will soon expand to year-round status, with an indoor location during the colder weather. Other local traditions include the annual Harrison County Fair, which features carnival rides and animal shows. The facilities likewise host tractor pulls and demolition derbies throughout the year. Cadiz is also celebrated as the birthplace of Clark Gable, the Hollywood icon. The Clark Gable Foundation runs a local museum in a replica of his childhood home.
Commuters rely on nearby highways to reach Pittsburgh and Wheeling
Many Cadiz residents commute. Pittsburgh is just over 60 miles away via state Route 22, and Wheeling is less than 30 miles on state Route 250. Pittsburgh has the closest airport, Pittsburgh International. Cadiz has its own hospital, WVU Harrison Community Hospital.
Written By
Catherine Lashley
