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 oil, gas and coal, although the coal industry isn't what it once was," says Chris Reager, executive director of the Marshall County Chamber of Commerce and a lifelong Moundsville resident. "And we are well-positioned on the highway just south of Wheeling, and the cost of living is relatively low here. It's a great place to raise kids." According to Reager, kids tend to graduate and move out of town, creating a gap in the middle-aged demographic and leading to an aging 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 a lot of newer homes, because our hilly topography makes that difficult," 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 grades third through fifth, and then students move on to Moundsville Junior High. Both schools get a C-plus. John Marshall High School receives a B. "Marshall County has a strong tax base, so our schools are second to none," Reager says. "We have turf on all our fields, which is pretty impressive for a small community." 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. "It's a huge attraction, because we have a lot of participation in our 4-H clubs here," 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. "A lot of local businesses got overtaken when big stores like Walmart moved in," Reager says. "But some of our specialty shops stayed afloat because they have such uniqueness and offer such great service compared to bigger options." According to Reager, the two locally owned Greg's Market locations are great for deli selections, 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. "Driving isn't a big deal here," Reager says. "I am up in Wheeling and the Highlands area 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
