From gunpowder to growth, Nitro evolves beyond its wartime roots
Nitro started as a World War I boomtown, built to house the 100,000 workers who made nitro-cellulose gunpowder at local factories. But after the war ended, Nitro's primary industry became chemical production. “Kanawha County was called the chemical center of the world,” says Bill Javins, a Realtor with Re/Max Clarity and city council member for 20 years. He says that all the chemical plants are gone from Nitro, “and that makes the city just that much cleaner.” While the area has struggled with the pollution from those plants in the past, years of clean-up efforts have changed the city's future.
Today, Nitro is a growing small town just 20 minutes outside Charleston , home to under 7,000 people. Thanks to a war museum and numerous veterans' memorials, the city is still known as a "Living Memorial to World War I." But with a popular casino and West Virginia's largest pickleball facility, it's not just history that puts Nitro on the map.
Nitro's housing stock is dominated by ranches and bungalows
Nitro's first homes were built quickly in tight rows of bungalows and ranches to accommodate the World War I workforce. These house styles continued to be prevalent as construction continued steadily into the 1990s. A few newer subdivisions have been added around the edge of town. State Route 25 is surrounded by city density, but properties farther out tend to have an almost rural feel.
Older one-story homes vary from $90,000 to $200,000, depending on the level of renovations. From $200,000 to $360,000, buyers can find modern construction or larger renovated homes. According to FirstStreet.org, the city's flooding risk around the Kanawha River is extreme.
School districts are split across county lines
Because Nitro spans two counties, the city is served by two school districts. Kanawha County Schools covers the larger southern half of the city. Niche grades this district a B-minus. On the north side, the A-minus-rated Putnam County Schools are ranked by Niche as the second-best school district in the state. Both districts have career centers, where students can take specialty courses like automotive technology or law & public safety.
A fishing lake and the state's largest pickleball facility
Along the river, Nitro City Park has picnic tables and several sports fields. Right next door, the Nitro Athletic Complex features a public pool and a state-of-the-art pickleball facility that opened in 2025. With 27 indoor and outdoor courts, it is the largest pickleball facility in West Virginia. "It's open 12 months out of the year, 24 hours a day, heated and cooled," Javins says. He adds that the facility has been a tremendous asset to the city, drawing in teams from neighboring states for tournaments.
Deeper into the woods, Ridenour Memorial Park has secluded walking trails around a central fishing lake. The lake is stocked in the summer with catfish and in the winter with trout. Residents can also access the Kanawha River via the Nitro Boat Ramp, a paved area that can fit over 70 cars. "On the weekends, it's just packed," Javins says.
Shopping includes antique stores and big retailers around the casino
Route 25 is lined with antique stores and a few family-owned diners. Diehl's Restaurant has been passed down through generations since 1960, serving homemade comfort food. Rio Grande is a favorite for Mexican food, and Tudor's Biscuit World is a much-loved regional chain.
The city's largest business is the Mardi Gras Casino & Resort, which attracts a significant tourist crowd. The casino is just north of Nitro Marketplace, a hub for shopping with Walmart, Lowe's and Dollar Tree. The shopping center also has chain restaurants, a Planet Fitness and the Regal Nitro movie theater.
Car shows, chili cook-offs and veterans' tributes draw crowds
The Nitro community comes together for antique car shows, fishing tournaments and drive-in movie nights at the local high school's field. In the heart of a small downtown district, Living Memorial Park is used for veterans' celebrations and Boomtown Days, an event that honors the city's World War I heritage.
Wagging Tails and Nitro Ales is one of the most popular events, combining a chili cook-off fundraiser for animal rescues and a showcase of local West Virginia beers. "It draws anywhere from 3,500 to 5,000 people," says Joe Stevens, the executive director of Nitro's Convention & Visitors Bureau. According to Stevens, the competition is a big deal because the winners qualify for the World Chili Championships.
Golf carts and buses offer local travel, with I-64 for commuters
Residents are allowed to use golf carts to get around within city limits. A bus route also runs through Nitro, connecting from the casino to downtown Charleston. However, due to the number of stops, it takes more than an hour to get to Charleston, 15 miles away.
By getting on Interstate 64, locals can typically reach downtown Charleston in about 20 minutes. The West Virginia International Yeager Airport is only a few miles outside the larger city. The closest hospital is CAMC Teays Valley Hospital, just under 10 miles away.
Written By
Catherine Lashley
