Philippi offers small-town living with history at ever turn
Located along the Tygart Valley River in North Central West Virginia, Philippi is a small city with lots of history. The town and surrounding Barbour County are named after Virginia lawyer and Supreme Court justice Philip Barbour. Philippi was the site of the first land battle of the Civil War and is home to the state’s oldest covered bridge. While the city has been around a long time, it maintains its status as a rural exurb of larger communities nearby. “It’s on the outskirts of Clarksburg. It seems like they’re getting people who want to live in a rural area with some land but be close to Clarksburg,” says Dottie Arbogast, a Realtor with All Seasons Real Estate who has 20 years of experience. “It’s beautiful in the rural areas, with rolling hills and grassy meadows.”
Over a century of houses in Philippi
Philippi has a wide range of housing styles from the past century. “In downtown, there are some older homes, probably from the 1930s. There are some new builds being done, too, in the outlying areas,” Arbogast says. “There are some nice homes with acreage.” Vintage houses in the downtown area include Victorian, Craftsman and American Foursquare homes. While several are from the early 1900s to the 1930s, buyers can find some as old as 1884. These properties are often close together on streets with sidewalks and tall trees. Other parts of the community include ranch-style and manufactured homes that are frequently on a quarter-acre to half-acre lot. Homes typically cost between $110,000 and $230,000. Much of the area along the Tygart Valley River is at risk of flooding; the State Resiliency Office has several resources on preparedness and flood response.
Celebrating the region's history and heritage
Philippi saw the first land battle of the Civil War on June 3, 1861. Known as the Philippi Races, the battle is commemorated with an annual reenactment and festival known as the Blue and Gray Reunion. The event started in 1911 as an actual reunion of soldiers from the battle, and today it consists of a parade, historical exhibitions, a car show and live music. Other historical sites in town include the covered bridge on Main Street, first built in 1852. It sits on U.S. Route 250, making it the only two-lane covered bridge in the federal highway system.
Outdoor fun is available at city and state parks
Multiple parks in and around Philippi offer plenty of recreation. Blue and Gray Park offers historical markers about the Battle of Philippi and memorials honoring the city’s veterans. It also has a short walking path and views of the river and the covered bridge. Youth sports are common at a park on Maple Avenue, which has several fields, plus a playground. There is abundant natural scenery and outdoor recreation at Audra State Park, about 11 miles away. This site is on the Middle Fork River and offers fishing, swimming, boating and hiking. It also has 65 campsites for visitors who want to stay overnight.
Main Street's restaurants offer a mix of cuisines
Old brick buildings on Main Street house locally owned restaurants, like Lil’ Moe’s. This casual spot serves classic bar food like sandwiches, burgers and wings. Residents can get Mexican food at Margarita’s Mexican Grill and Cantina or grab dessert at Molly’s Hand-Dipped Ice Cream. Stores downtown include a gift shop, a couple of thrift stores and a Sheetz. Outside downtown, locals can choose from fast-food chains like McDonald’s, Subway and Hardee’s. Groceries and other household items are available at Shop ‘n Save and Dollar General.
Barbour County schools offer career and college prep
Philippi Elementary School gets a C from Niche, while Philippi Middle School receives a C-minus. Philip Barbour High School earns a B-minus and had a graduation rate of 99% in 2025. The school offers career and technical education courses in industries like agriculture, engineering and food service. Students can also take dual credit courses in algebra, biology, English and history.
Alderson Broaddus University was a college in town that closed in 2023, leading to job loss, vacant rental homes and fewer customers at local businesses. Organizations like Battlers Knob LLC and West Virginia Wesleyan College are looking at ways to transform the former campus, including offering classes and turning it into an event venue.
Larger cities are within commuting distance
U.S. routes 250 and 119 are the main highways through Philippi. Route 250 connects to Elkins, about 26 miles south of town. Highway 119 leads about 19 miles southwest to Buckhannon. Clarksburg is about 26 miles northwest via West Virginia Route 57. The city has a small general aviation airport on its west side. Medical care is available at Broaddus Hospital on Mansfield Drive.
Written By
Matthew Atkins
