Shrewsbury has modest homes, river views and highway access
Shrewsbury is a small community about 16 miles south of Charleston on the banks of the Kanawha River, featuring modest homes surrounded by towering hills. It sprang up as a salt and coal mining town, but today it’s more of a bedroom community for the larger region, with U.S. Route 60 making it easy for people to commute to work in nearby cities. There is little commercial activity here, but the highway leads just a few miles west to a mix of big-box stores and chain restaurants.
Many homes in Shrewsbury have views of the Kanawha River.
Houses in Shrewsbury range from modest ranch-style homes to two-story builds.
The Shrewsbury community is tight-knit, with a strong sense of pride and history.
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A mix of newer builds and historic homes shaped by mining
The area first grew as a result of salt and coal mining in the Kanawha Valley, and many homes are from the first half of the 20th century. “It all started with salt. That’s how they discovered that the mountains were so rich with coal, which they ended up needing to fire the salt furnaces,” says Nancy Bruns, a seventh-generation salt-maker at J.Q. Dickinson Salt Works. “There were these little towns along the river where salt was being produced, and then they mostly became mining towns.” While mining has largely left the community, more homes have been built as buyers seek a quieter life with easy access to the city. You can find brick New Traditional homes from the 21st century next to modest cottages, bungalows and ranch-style houses from the 1900s. Some properties back up to the river, offering water views and boating or fishing access. For a home in Shrewsbury, expect to pay between the mid-$40,000s and mid-$200,000s.
Shrewsbury’s heritage homes reflect Appalachian and cottage styles.
The area's newer houses reflect steady growth and fresh appeal.
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Riverside High School offers a variety of career pathways in nearby Dickinson.
Riverside High offers career pathways and variety of activities
Students are served by Kanawha County Schools, and they can attend Riverside High School, about 3 miles away. The school has several advanced courses and activities, including:
Career pathways in computer science, pre-engineering and robotics
A JROTC chapter
The Pride of Riverside marching band
The Riverside High School concert band
The district also offers magnet programs, and West Virginia allows open enrollment, with out-of-district transfers.
Walmart is the go-to spot for fresh produce and groceries.
Where locals go for dining, shopping and everyday errands
The only business in Shrewsbury is a small bar called Mason Dixon, which has pool tables and regularly hosts live music. You can head about 3 miles west to Dickinson to dine at spots like Guadalajara Modern Mexican, Gino’s Pizza & Spaghetti House or McDonald’s. Dickinson also has a Walmart and Tractor Supply Co., and the nearby community of Chelyan has a Dollar General, about 2 miles away.
Highways connect Shrewsbury to nearby job centers
Shrewsbury's location along U.S. Route 60 and near Interstate 64 makes it easy to commute throughout West Virginia. “I think most people would be driving into Charleston,” says Lisa Eden, a Realtor at Old Colony Realtors with 30 years of experience. “The Chelyan and Shrewsbury area is not far from Beckley, so people could commute from there to Beckley.” Downtown Charleston is about 16 miles away via Highway 60 and I-64, a drive that typically takes around 20 minutes. If you’re headed to Beckley, the drive is about 45 miles down I-64, and you can usually get there in under an hour.
What to know about flood zones and insurance requirements
The Kanawha River poses a flooding risk throughout the region, including in Shrewsbury. Here are some things to know about the FEMA flood zones in the area:
A few properties are in Zone AE, which means flood insurance is required.
Much of the area is in Zone X, which means a lower risk and doesn’t require insurance.
Insurance is still highly recommended, as 25% of claims come from areas with low to moderate flood risk.
Check with your Realtor or the online WV Flood Tool to evaluate your property’s risk.
Written By
Matthew Atkins
Photography Contributed By
Robert Pierce
Video By
Patrick Johnson
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Christina Pepper,
an experienced agent in this area.
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