Moundsville is an Ohio River city best known for its historic prison
Defined by the gothic walls of the now-retired West Virginia Penitentiary, Moundsville has been the backdrop of movies, the subject of songs and a go-to destination for ghost hunters. But outside the imposing former prison, this Ohio River city is a small-town community with a slow pace of life. Like many cities in the region, it has faced struggles as major industries moved out, and large retailers like Walmart replaced mom and pop stores. However, the nearby WVU Reynolds Memorial Hospital is expanding, and the city continues to have mining and energy jobs available.
"We've been blessed with raw materials here — we have coal, oil and gas," says Chris Reager, the Marshall County Chamber of Commerce executive director and a lifelong Moundsville resident. "We’re a small area just south of Wheeling, and we’re kind of nestled in a perfect position — you can jump on the interstate and get anywhere." He also adds: “It’s a great place to live and raise kids.” However, according to Reager, kids tend to graduate and move out of town, creating a gap in the middle-aged demographic and leading to an older population.
Older bungalows and ranch styles define the housing options
The heart of Moundsville is lined with bungalows, workers' cottages and American Foursquare homes from the early 1900s. Farther out, there are plenty of ranch-style designs from the mid-1900s and, less frequently, some properties built after 2000. "We haven't been able to develop just because of our topography — we have a lot of hills and ridges," Reager says. Properties needing renovations start under $100,000, and most move-in-ready homes range from $100,000 to $250,000. From $300,000 up to $500,000, homebuyers might find renovated historic homes, modern construction or properties in the country with several acres.
Career-focused courses at Marshall County schools
McNinch Primary School serves kindergarten through second grade and receives a B-minus rating from Niche. Central Elementary is for third through fifth grade, and then students move on to Moundsville Junior High. Both schools get a C-plus. John Marshall High School receives a B. "We have a good tax base, because we have all this industry," Reager says. "So, if you look at our school, they are second to none. We have turf on all our fields, which for a small community, is really impressive." The high school offers a Career & Technical Education program with classes like welding, nursing and business marketing.
An adventure park and penitentiary tours bring in tourism
Tourism is a major part of the city's economy, mainly due to the West Virginia Penitentiary. Retired from use in 1995, the gothic prison is now primarily a tourist attraction offering history lessons, paranormal tours and a popular Halloween haunted house. Across from the penitentiary, history buffs might visit the Grave Creek Mound, a notable Native American burial site and the reason the city got its name.
Just north of town, Grand Vue Park is a large outdoor recreation center with disc golf, mini golf, zip lines and an aquatic center. The park has expanded its selection of cabins and RV sites, drawing even more tourists. While access to the park's hiking trails is free, most other features cost a fee.
Small-town community at local parks and the county fair
Residents come together at local churches, veterans organizations and Little League games at the city's many ballfields. Downtown has a public library and the historic Strand Theater, which puts on local productions. The annual Marshall County Fair is a favorite local event, with live music, dirt bike races, and animal shows put on by local 4-H clubs. "That's always a huge attraction," Reager says.
To get out on the Ohio River, residents can head to Riverfront Park, which has picnic pavilions and a boat launch. From the park, the paved Glen Dale to Moundsville Rail Trail runs along the river, connecting the two communities. Less than 5 miles south, the Moundsville Country Club is semi-private, so anyone can stop by to play golf.
Homestyle restaurants and local markets coexist with a Walmart
Lafayette Avenue has chain restaurants and grocery stores, including Walmart, Aldi and Kroger. According to Reager, a lot of local businesses got overtaken when big stores like Walmart moved in. "I think some of our specialty shops can stay afloat because they have such uniqueness and offer such great service compared to some of the bigger ones," he says. The two locally owned Greg's Market locations are known for the deli selection, and Marshall County Co-op is a community staple for animal feed and gasoline. Moundsville also has several homestyle diners and neighborhood bars. The family-owned Bob's Lunch has been a standout spot for homemade comfort food since 1947.
Driving to shopping options in Wheeling and The Highlands
Moundsville is a car-dependent area, and locals often drive to Wheeling to run errands. The city is just over 10 miles north via U.S. Route 250. The Highlands, a large shopping center with a movie theater and a sports complex, is about 20 miles north. "Our people are mobile," Reager says. "I am in Wheeling and up in the Highlands about every other day."
Pittsburgh is under 70 miles away, a little over an hour by car. The major city has the closest airport, Pittsburgh International.
Written By
Catherine Lashley
