Fayette and South Fayette, West Virginia were established along the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad (C&O) when it was completed through the New River Valley in January 1873.

Fayette was a company town developed by the Fayette Coal & Coke Company ² while South Fayette was home to local railroad operations for the C&O. The mines were later operated by the Hood Coal Company until the mid-20th century. ²

Prior to the completion of the Fayette Station Bridge, a ferry operated across the New River between 1873 and 1889.