Moorefield's small-time vibe in the Poultry Capital of West Virginia
From its early 20th-century agricultural history to the rise of Pilgrim’s Pride factories in more recent decades, Moorefield has long been called the Poultry Capital of West Virginia. “Moorefield is a nice little town,” says Sandra Hunt, an associate broker at West Virginia Land and Home Realty who specializes in Hardy and its surrounding counties. “It’s the seat of Hardy County, where you’ve got everything from pup tents to very expensive mansions and farms. It goes the whole gamut. All kinds of people move here wanting that slower pace and relaxed feeling you get in West Virginia.” Surrounded by the ridges of the South Branch Potomac River Valley, Moorefield is as rich in rural beauty and recreation areas as it is in chicken-themed community events and weekend visitors from the DMV.
Blocks of single-family homes surrounded by mountain vistas
While the surrounding mountain ridges give the town a rural feeling, Moorefield is laid out in city blocks. Prewar National-style homes, bungalows, Foursquares and farmhouses mix along some of the oldest residential streets. Minimal Traditional and ranch-style homes filled lots around the midcentury, and manufactured homes became popular closer to the turn of the 21st century. Prices can range from around $70,000 to $320,000, depending on the home’s size, age and condition. Sidewalks connect many blocks, especially close to commercial areas. Although housing styles range widely, lots are fairly uniform, with pocket-sized front lawns and small backyards. Low-lying properties near the South Branch of the Potomac River and Dumpling Run may be at higher flood risk and require flood insurance.
Hardy County Schools and EWVCTC
Moorefield Elementary School earns a B from Niche, and Moorefield Intermediate School earns a B-minus. Moorefield Middle School scores a B-plus. At C-plus-rated Moorefield High School, students can apply to Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College’s early entrance program to start earning career certifications and associate degrees.
Local businesses and big box stores in Moorefield
Evenly spaced trees and flower-hung lampposts decorate Main Street in Moorefield’s historic downtown. Red brick commercial buildings built in the last century house regional chains and mom and pops, from Hardman's Hardware to the Oak Summit furniture store. Mullin's 1847 Restaurant is a rustic eatery in the oldest continuously operating hotel in West Virginia. Diners opt for different global cuisines at Pupuseria Emerita and Gennaro’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria. Residents might also stop into the library, see a show at the McCoy Grand Theatre and Museum, or attend religious services at churches like Moorefield Presbyterian Church along the main drag. Large chains like Walmart, Tractor Supply and Food Lion take up larger footprints on Main Street’s less walkable outskirts, making Moorefield a shopping hub for Hardy County.
Recreation at the town’s park, on the river and in nearby mountains
At Moorefield Town Park, Little League teams square off near the community playground and outdoor swimming pool. Public access points pop up along the South Branch of the Potomac River, including under Oldfields Bridge. “People like having a river that’s not all clogged up with boats,” Hunt says. “There are a lot of shallower wading areas or places to canoe, so it’s very conducive to families.” Businesses offer public access to niche recreation areas in the area, including the 18-hole course at Valley View Golf Club and South Branch Potomac Lanes bowling alley. Residents can drive about 30 minutes from home to hike up Big Ridge Mountain at Lost River State Park or explore the Smoke Hole Caverns.
WV Poultry Festival and other town events
The West Virginia Poultry Association organizes the annual West Virginia Poultry Convention and Festival in Moorefield. For a week each summer, local businesses and Pilgrim’s Pride sponsor events like golf tournaments, educational programs and a formal poultry ball. Over the weekend, a family-friendly festival pops up at Moorefield Town Park, bringing the community together for a day of free swimming at the pool, bouncy castles, music, food vendors and a kiddie poultry parade. The county seat gets decked out for holiday parades and seasonal festivities throughout the year, from the Independence Day fireworks display to the early December Christmas tree lighting.
West Virginia and DMV commuter hubs
Many of Hardy County’s biggest employers operate out of the county seat. Pilgrim’s Pride is the largest by far, but other manufacturers operate in industrial parks around town. Petersburg and WVU Medicine Grant Memorial Hospital are about 12 miles down U.S. Route 220. U.S. Route 48 winds through the mountains toward Interstate 81. While many residents rely on cars, Potomac Valley Transit Authority buses offer local service and routes to regional hubs like Winchester and Romney. Washington Dulles International Airport is about 110 miles away, and Washington, D.C. is roughly 130 miles from home.
Pilgrim’s Pride’s poultry processing odors
Chicken processing is the backbone of Moorefield’s manufacturing economy, something that visitors might guess from the odor alone. “The Pilgrim’s Pride plant operates 24/7; there's always a boiled chicken smell in Moorefield,” Hunt says. “Most of the activity is in the north of town to avoid it."
Written By
Julia Szymanski
