Elkins is a revitalizing railroad city in the Allegheny Highlands
When Elkins’ namesake looked over the Allegheny Mountains, he saw a fortune in potential timber and railroad shipping industries. So, at the tail end of the 1800s, future West Virginia Senators Stephen Elkins and Henry Davis developed this gridded, industrial city to weave around the Tygart Valley River and the West Virginia Central and Pittsburgh Railway. While the Randolph County seat’s co-founders are immortalized in the name of its local college, their pioneering railyard had declined and ceased operations by the 1990s. The shuttered train station eventually welcomed passengers on a new mountain rail excursion train, encouraging citywide revitalization through historical, artistic and outdoor tourism. Today, tens of thousands of weekend visitors and closer to 8,000 year-round residents enjoy the beauty of the Tygart Valley from a walkable downtown at the doorstep of one of the state’s most beloved natural resources. “With our location at the edge of the Monongahela National Forest, we have great outdoor recreation,” says Dottie Arbogast, a Realtor at All Seasons Real Estate Services who lives in Elkins. “Elkins is thriving with new upgrades, and we’re not stuck in that ‘you’re an outsider’ mindset. We’re a friendly town that welcomes newcomers.”
Recreation from the Monongahela National Forest to Elkins’ parks
Elkins is often called the gateway to the Monongahela National Forest. More than 900,000 acres of trout streams, hiking trails and hunting grounds make up the forest, but residents of Elkins are less than 10 miles from the swimming holes at Stuart Recreation Area and the entrance to Bowden Cave. During snowy winters, locals might drive about 30 miles into the national forest to Canaan Valley Ski Resort or opt for the indoor gym at the local YMCA. In town, residents can start down the 311-mile Allegheny Trail or launch a small boat into the Tygart Valley River from Scott’s Ford Fishing Pier. Among several community parks full of playgrounds, sports courts and picnic pavilions, Elkins City Park is best-known thanks to the many events it hosts throughout the year.
Industrial blocks and suburban streets in the Allegheny Mountains
Early railyard workers lived in simple National-style homes, American Foursquares and creative Victorian homes along the sidewalk-lined blocks closest to Railroad Avenue. Later developers built winding suburban streets of ranch-style homes and colonials into the rolling hills around the city center. Homes on less than an acre of land can sell for around $30,000 to $380,000, depending on whether they’re fixer-uppers or highly renovated. Houses on small acreages can go for around $280,000 to $440,000. Although walkability and tree coverage vary around the city, the ridges of the Tygart Valley give all of Elkins a verdant, scenic view.
A walkable arts and business district in downtown Elkins
Davis Avenue and its surrounding blocks make up downtown Elkins. Many of the old brick commercial buildings there were built around the turn of the 20th century, as were houses of worship like Davis Memorial Presbyterian Church. Arbogast notes that facade updates to historic buildings like the Tygart Hotel have encouraged a slew of renovations by cultural hubs and businesses. The Augusta Heritage Center is a haven for Appalachian folk artists, run in partnership with Davis and Elkins College. The center’s new downtown location holds square dancing nights, band jams and art workshops. The block format of downtown Elkins means it’s easy to walk from a show at the Old Brick Playhouse to grab a drink at Big Timber Brewing Company or dozens of other local businesses.
Restaurants serve diverse cuisines in creatively designed dining rooms around downtown. C.J. Maggie’s is a knick-knack-filled favorite for American fare, and El Gran Sabor is a Venezuelan restaurant in a Queen Anne home known for its regular live music nights. Specialty businesses from Joey’s Bike Shop to Trickett Hardware are well-loved thanks to personalized service from owner-operators. Big-box and grocery stores anchor strip malls farther from the city center, including Shop ‘n Save Express, Kroger and Walmart.
Major Mountain State festivals and small-town events
The Mountain State Forest Festival draws over 75,000 visitors to Elkins each fall. Over a week, the entertainment on offer ranges from carnival rides and live music to lumberjack contests and the crowning of Queen Silvia, queen of the forest. The Augusta Heritage Festival is a monthlong, summertime celebration of Appalachian folk art and music. The Rotary Amphitheater next to the train depot hosts smaller events throughout the year, from farmers markets to a free summer concert series. “Everybody brings their lawn chairs to the concerts. They've been a big hit,” Arbogast says. “And, Elkins being a small town where everybody knows everybody, it’s a big social event for us.”
Attending Randolph County Schools and Davis & Elkins
Multiple Randolph County Schools serve prekindergarten through fifth grade in the city, including Third Ward Elementary School, which earns a C-plus from Niche. Elkins Middle School scores a C, and Elkins High School gets a C-plus. Elkins High students can apply to career pathway programs at Randolph Technical Center. Davis & Elkins College is a private liberal arts institution with a student body of fewer than 700.
Elkins commuting and taking highways through rural WV
Many people living in Elkins are also working for local employers like Randolph County seat offices and Vandalia Health Davis Medical Center. While residents often rely on cars to get around rural West Virginia, Country Roads Transit buses run along local routes. U.S. Routes 48, 33 and 250 are Elkins’ main highways, leading deeper into the Monongahela National Forest and toward other rural city centers like Buckhannon. Elkins-Randolph County Regional Airport is used for general aviation, so residents may drive nearly 150 miles to Pittsburgh International Airport for commercial flights.
Flood risk on the Tygart Valley River
The Tygart Valley River and its tributaries may flood nearby properties and roadways after unusually heavy rain. Buyers can consult maps to understand their potential risk and need for flood insurance.
Written By
Julia Szymanski
