Small-town life surrounded by forestland and mountain views
In the hills of central West Virginia, Summersville offers small-town living surrounded by rolling mountains and sprawling forest in the heart of Appalachia. The towering cliffs of Summersville Lake and nearby New River Gorge National Park help make it a haven for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Originally, the town was founded in the 1800s, buoyed by the region’s booming coal and timber industries. Today, Summersville is the county seat of Nicholas County and home to around 3,500 residents. “It’s a small town with a couple of bars and restaurants. It’s a nice place to live, but there’s not much to do besides outdoorsy stuff. It’s great if you like fishing, hunting and four-wheeling,” says Realtor Katie Boggs of Lillywood Realty, who lives in the area.
Summersville Lake draws visitors with cliffs, trails and clear water
What the town lacks in small community parks it makes up for in big outdoor destinations. Summersville Lake has more than 2,500 acres of clear-blue water and 60 miles of shoreline, earning it the nickname the “Little Bahamas of the East.” Swimming, boating and kayaking pair with rock climbing the sheer cliffs and scuba diving in the crystal-clear water. “It’s a little, hidden lake in the mountains. It’s very clear and clean. The whole thing is owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, so there aren’t any homes around it,” Boggs says. Summersville Lake State Park, established in 2023 along the lakeshore, offers more than 150 acres of recreation. New River Gorge National Park, about 20 miles south, is popular for hiking, rafting and rock climbing.
Most homes are older, with a few built in the 1990s and 2000s
Summersville homes sit on hilly, rural lanes with views of nearby ridges and forests. Ranch-style homes, Traditional homes, A-frame cabins and farm properties are common. While much of the housing stock is older, newer homes constructed in the 1990s and 2000s can be found as well. “There’s not a whole lot of new construction here,” Boggs says. Prices start at $50,000 to $150,000 for older homes that need some work. Larger, well-maintained homes typically sell for between $150,000 and $350,000. Historic properties are also in the mix, such as the Dr. Flavius Brown House, built in 1925, and the James B. Carden House, built in 1885.
Main Street features pubs, cafes and early 1900s buildings
The walkable downtown area features historic storefronts, many now housing local shops and eateries. Century-old landmarks like the Nicholas County Courthouse and the Nicholas County Bank building give the district an Old World feel. Maloney’s Pub is a favorite watering hole with a wide selection of domestic and craft brews. El Bandido offers Mexican classics and margaritas, while Local 805 is a standby for burgers, fries and hotdogs. Residents can start their day with an espresso and pastries at Honeybee Coffee & Donut House. For everyday essentials, there’s a Walmart, Lowe’s, Fresh Start Market and a Dollar General.
Local schools serve all grades with average ratings from Niche
Students attend elementary, middle and high school within town, beginning with Summersville Elementary School, which gets a C-plus rating from Niche. Summersville Middle School gets a C-minus, and Nicholas County High School gets a C-plus. The high school enrolls around 700 students and has a student-teacher ratio of 17-to-1. Its marching band, known as the Marching Grizzlies, has won several major competitions.
Summersville has a hospital and bus service to nearby towns
Summersville sits at the intersection of state Route 39 and U.S. Route 19. The nearest large cities are Beckley, 45 miles south, and Charleston, 60 miles west. The city is served by the Mountain Transit Authority, with bus lines connecting to nearby towns and cities. Summersville Regional Medical Center, a 77-bed hospital with an emergency room, is right in town.
