West Virginia, like many states in the U.S., has a rich history that is reflected in its infrastructure.
Abandoned Posts
Fire lookout towers housed and protected individuals for wildfire search, but many have been decommissioned due to technology advancements, aircraft spotters, and budget constraints.
Located in the heart of the Cherokee National Forest near Unicoi, Tennessee, the Pinnacle Mountain Fire Tower stands as a sentinel atop Buffalo Mountain.
The once dormant viaduct over Cedar Fork now echoes a renewed sense of progress, as the Cincinnati Eastern Railroad (CCET) steadily advances on reviving a long-inactive stretch of railway. The restoration effort focuses on sections of the former Cincinnati & Eastern/Norfolk & Western/Norfolk Southern line between Cincinnati and Portsmouth.
Nestled in the heart of Kingston, New York, Rondout Creek once hummed with the activity of a thriving maritime industry. Today, it stands as a tranquil haven and a living museum of history.
In the annals of American botanical history, few plant species have so dramatically epitomized the double-edged sword of human intervention as the notorious vine known as kudzu.
The rise of coal in Virginia in the early 1900s was propelled by the expansion of railroads and the increasing demand from industrializing cities. This era saw the development of many new coal mines in the Appalachian region, transforming local economies and shaping the landscape of communities in southwestern Virginia.
Deep within a secluded valley in West Virginia lies an intriguing sight—a forgotten repository of cars.
Tunnel No. 1 is located along the defunct Norfolk & Western Railway Pocahontas Branch near Pocahontas, Virginia.
The presence of two abandoned houses in a rural area of West Virginia has piqued curiosity and left some wondering about their history.
The presence of two abandoned houses in a rural area of West Virginia has piqued curiosity and left some wondering about their history. The reason for their abandonment remains a mystery, but nevertheless, these houses stand as a testament to the region’s past.
This abandoned house, dating back to around 1907, has been on the market for at least twenty years. It is situated near a bustling interstate interchange. The house showcases a side-gabled architectural style with a spacious porch that spans almost the entire front of the building, supported by simple square columns lacking any intricate designs. The original windows maintain a 2/2 configuration, while the front door has been replaced with a more contemporary version. The exterior of the house is covered in asbestos siding, and the roof, made of asphalt shingles, has deteriorated over time. Inside, the house retains much of its original woodwork and sandstone fireplaces. Originally, this house likely followed the Folk Victorian style with clapboard siding, however, it has been subsequently altered using modern materials.
Finding another house proved to be more challenging. This particular house, dating back to approximately 1920, is situated alongside a creek branching off from the Bluestone River. However, reaching it requires embarking on a lengthy hike along an abandoned railroad track and passing through a tunnel.
The farmhouse itself follows a Folk Victorian architectural style, characterized by its traditional clapboard siding, a tin roof, a combination of original 2/2 windows and newer 6/1 windows, and a front door featuring two panels and a window pane. Upon entering, the interior appears rather plain. The walls are painted but show signs of chipping, and there are beadboard walls present in one of the additions to the house.
During a hike near the stunning Moon Rocks in Tucker County, West Virginia, we unexpectedly came across an old Honda motorbike that had been abandoned for a long time.
I joined Jeffrey Jakucyk on a photography excursion where we had the opportunity to explore the remains of the Miami & Erie Canal. Our journey took us from Cincinnati all the way to Miamisburg, Ohio.
I visited two former Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad branch lines in eastern Kentucky that have been transformed into rail trails on a pleasant spring afternoon.
West Virginia may be regarded as a state centered around the coal industry, but it was the oil and gas industry that provided the state’s first economic boom and drove the development of the north-central part of the state.
As I drove through the winding backroads of southern Ohio, I stumbled upon an unexpected sight—a group of long abandoned fire trucks resting in the weeds at the site of a forgotten gasoline station.
In the isolated hills of West Virginia stands the forgotten and dilapidated Dusk Camp Methodist Church.
The bleakness of the winter landscape in south-central West Virginia was a constant reminder of the season’s harshness. It was a perfect time to visit some abandoned bridges and churches.