The resilient story of Welch, also known as Coal Town USA
In the mid-1900s, Welch was the leading coal producer in the United States, but following economic downturn and periodic flooding, the city has struggled to retain businesses or attract new development. Coal mining is still a major industry in Welch, and the city proudly bills itself as "Coal Town USA." Although Welch's Main Street is only an echo of its historic heyday, the city's small-town spirit has refused to fade.
According to Mayor Harold McBride, a lifelong Welch resident, the biggest thing most locals appreciate about Welch is the people who live there. "If your car breaks down on the side of the road, there are going to be four or five people who stop to help you." When a flood swept through the city in early 2025, it was the residents who rebuilt homes, passed out food and checked in on neighbors. With plans to try and secure flood walls and housing investment, McBride hopes for a bright future for Welch. "This is our home, and it's up to us to make it better — so that's exactly what we are trying to do," he says.
Vintage houses are built on winding valley roads
Welch is built on the winding roads between rolling Appalachian hills. Though there's a small downtown, many homes are spread out, some perched on the hillside with steps leading up to the front door. Most houses in Welch were built in the first half of the 1900s, though some construction continued until the 1990s. It's common to see Cape Cods, ranch styles and larger American Foursquares. Smaller homes with older interiors range from $25,000 to $80,000, while properties with more recent renovations can go from $100,000 to $200,000. About a third of residents rent, and the newest development in town is Renaissance Village, a multiuse apartment building that was added in 2019.
Extreme flooding risks for low-lying homes
Due to the Welch's location in a valley, the Tug Fork River and Elkhorn Creek have flooded in the past. A major flood in 2002 nearly destroyed the city, and yet another historic flood hit in 2025, damaging parts of downtown and homes at lower elevations. FirstStreet.org rates the city's flood risk as extreme. "It's flooded in the past and it will flood in the future — that's a given," McBride says. However, he says that the city is trying to get more flood walls built to protect low-lying areas, and tearing down some old homes to get some development in places outside the flood zone.
Career courses and summer meals at McDowell County Schools
Kids can attend Welch Elementary School and Mount View High School for sixth through 12th grades. Both schools receive a C-minus rating from Niche. Welch is home to the McDowell County Career and Technology Center, which offers specialty courses to high school students, including automotive technology, practical nursing and welding. McDowell County Schools also provides free meal boxes during the summer.
America's oldest Veterans Day Parade and other local events
Welch is home to the nation's longest-running Veterans Day Parade. The local American Legion sponsors the event, and visitors can stop by the Jack Caffrey Arts & Cultural Center for a special veterans exhibit.
In December, the mayor conducts a decorated trolley through the streets, picking up kids on the way to the local Pocahontas Theater, which has a special showing of The Polar Express. During the Fourth of July Beach Bash, the city dumps tons of sand along Main Street, putting up volleyball courts and water slides. "At Beach Bash, the kids just run anywhere they want, playing, eating and having a good time," McBride says. "There aren't a lot of places where you can do that, and we do it and never have any kind of incident at all. So that's very valuable." Other annual events include the Haunted Hayride in October, a yearly barbecue cook-off and the New Year's Coal Drop — similar to a ball drop, but a piece of coal gets lowered instead.
Local restaurants give back to the community
In downtown Welch, few businesses are still open, but those that are there are dedicated to the community. When the recent flood hit in 2025, the owners of Latin Appalachia kept their kitchen open for several weeks despite the damage to the restaurant. They distributed over 50,000 free meals, using donations from the community to keep the food coming. The family-owned restaurant plans to pivot to a food truck, hoping to raise revenue to repair their brick-and-mortar location. Outside of downtown, Sterling Drive-In has been a local favorite since 1945, with vintage vinyl booths and curbside service.
A summertime pool and many miles of ATV trails
Within the city, Linkous Park is a go-to for spending time outside. There are pickleball, basketball and tennis courts, a horseshoe course and a popular outdoor swimming pool. Welch is also a hot spot for ATV riding. "Hatfield-McCoy Trails actually comes right through the middle of Welch, so there's a lot of activity there," McBride says. The Hatfield-McCoy Trails system has thousands of miles of multiuse trails stretching across the state.
Big city amenities are many miles away
The city is home to Welch Community Hospital and has a few grocery store options, including Goodson's Supermarket and Save A Lot. But for most city amenities, locals have to head out of town. Princeton is less than 40 miles away via U.S. Route 52, and Beckley is about 50 miles away. Charleston, just over 100 miles away, is the location of the West Virginia International Yeager Airport.
Written By
Catherine Lashley
