The Forgotten Community of Jumping Branch

Jumping Branch, West Virginia, is one of those communities that most would pass on by quickly as they either head toward Beckley or Hinton.






Jumping Branch, West Virginia, is one of those communities that most would pass on by quickly as they either head toward Beckley or Hinton. There isn’t much in the way of amenities or businesses in the unincorporated community anymore, but what it does lack, it makes up for in history and uniqueness.

The community got its name from the absence of a bridge across a creek. Legend has it that when Native Americans lived there, they had to jump across the creek, leading to an accident that resulted in the name “Jumping Branch.” Another theory suggests that travelers had to jump their horses across a stream along the Giles, Fayette, and Kanawha Turnpike.

Jumping Branch circa 1900. Source: West Virginia & Regional History Center.

The Deeds family settled around the stream around 1822 in what was then known as Giles County, Virginia. In 1837, a modest brick house—a two-room, two-story dwelling — was erected, marking a significant milestone as the first brick structure in what became Mercer County.

A small farming community developed around the creek, including a general store, Odie Meador Lumber Company offices, a gasoline station, and two grain mills. These establishments were the heart of the community, providing essential goods and services to the residents. A post office was established on November 12, 1853, further solidifying the community’s status.

Today, much of Jumping Branch seems derelict. The old general store seems to be used as a wood shop, while various houses and businesses are neglected and abandoned.

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