Few roads capture the essence of a place as completely as MacCorkle Avenue embodies Charleston and the Kanawha Valley. Stretching like a vital artery through West Virginia's capital region, this bustling thoroughfare pulses with the daily rhythms of Appalachian life—where coal trucks rumble past family-owned diners, where glass factories stand alongside tech startups, and where the past seamlessly blends with the present.

Introduction: Where Time Flows Like the Mud RiverEnsconced in the rolling hills of Lincoln County, West Virginia, the unincorporated communities of Griffithsville and Garretts Bend offer a poignant glimpse into Appalachian resilience and charm. Far from the state’s bustling urban centers, these quiet hamlets captivate visitors with their natural beauty, layered history, and tight-knit community spirit. This post explores their geography, heritage, and modern-day allure.

There’s a stretch of Almost Heaven, Smith Creek, WV, where mist-cloaked hollows echo with whitewater symphonies, rhododendron thickets hide Civilian Conservation Corps secrets, and country roads wind past forgotten coal towns. Welcome to Dry Ridge and Smith Creek—Kanawha County’s rugged backyard, where wilderness whispers and history hums. Forget crowded national parks; this is West Virginia untamed. A Land Forged by Coal and Stone…

Situated in the rolling hills of Dunbar, West Virginia, Wine Cellars Park offers a rare blend of antebellum history and modern outdoor recreation. Centered around the enigmatic Dutch Hollow Wine Cellars, this 300-acre sanctuary invites visitors to walk through time while enjoying nature’s tranquility. Here’s why this park deserves a spot on your Almost Heaven itinerary.

The Birth of an Educational Vision: Shelton College Founding and Early Ambitions: In 1872, the Guyandotte Baptist Association (later Teays Valley Baptist Association) established Coalsmouth High School in the river town of Coalsmouth (later renamed St. Albans). Classes began in St. Albans City Hall on October 1, 1872, with educator Powell B. Reynolds as its first principal. The institution aimed to provide higher learning in the Kanawha River Valley, reflecting post-Civil War educational aspirations.

The mist-shrouded hills of southern West Virginia’s coalfields bore witness to America’s most explosive class war. This rebellion, often referred to as "Blood on the Coal," took place in Lincoln and Boone Counties—ground zero for the state’s labor convulsions—where miners forged a movement that shook the nation. Their story, etched in gunpowder and solidarity, reveals the brutal cost of dignity in the face of industrial tyranny.

In the lush hills of Kanawha County, West Virginia, the neighboring communities of Quick and Pinch offer contrasting yet complementary perspectives on Appalachian resilience. Quick Pinch, WV highlights the rich traditions and community spirit shared by these two areas. Though separated by just a few miles, these unassuming settlements—one a whisper of a hamlet, the other a vibrant census-designated hub—share a deep-rooted connection to land, tradition, and community spirit.

Picture this: a rutted track clinging to steep Appalachian slopes, carved through dense forests of oak and hickory. The air hums with the curses of teamsters, the groan of overloaded wagon axles, and the rhythmic clop of straining horses. This wasn't just a road; it was an artery pumping lifeblood into the burgeoning settlements of western Virginia. This was the Kanawha and James River Turnpike – a forgotten titan of early American infrastructure.

For travelers threading through Appalachia’s rugged spine, Interstate 77 in West Virginia represents far more than a transportation corridor—it’s a breathtaking passage through "Almost Heaven." Whether you refer to it as I77 or Interstate 77 in West Virginia this stretch covers 187.21 miles from Bluefield to Parkersburg and constitutes the longest portion of I-77 in any state, transforming the driving experience into an unforgettable journey through engineering marvels and natural grandeur.

Along the twisting curves of West Virginia Route 3, just three miles northeast of Madison, Foster, WV embodies the quiet resilience of Boone County’s unincorporated communities. With a population of 1,211 and a land area of 15.43 square miles, this tight-knit enclave thrives amid Appalachia’s rugged beauty. Here’s its untold story. Frontier Foundations & The Boone Legacy (1742–1870)

Deep beneath Paint Creek Mountain in Kanawha County, West Virginia, lies the Memorial Tunnel of WV Turnpike, a 2,802-foot engineering relic with a story far stranger than fiction. The Memorial Tunnel, once a critical link on the West Virginia Turnpike, has lived more lives than a cat—serving as a highway, a fire lab, a terrorist attack simulator, and now, a mushroom farm.

Few corporations are as deeply entwined with American industrial history as DuPont de Nemours, Inc., and its relationship with West Virginia represents a complex tapestry of economic ambition, technological breakthroughs, and environmental consequences. From the chemical-laden banks of the Kanawha River to small company towns bearing its name, DuPont’s operations shaped communities, economies, and landscapes across the Mountain State for nearly a century.

What to do when you are restrained from acting? Avoiding inaction paralysis! I have continued to find myself restrained in terms of keeping my journey on the right path. Inaction paralysis strikes again. I know the road I need to take, but car trouble is keeping me from taking it at present. After the battery light appeared to say hello on Saturday after my 19-stop delivery run, paralysis from inaction hit me as I slunk back home with my $70 to lick my wounds and come up with a battle plan. Sunday, I used Chas’s car to take Mikey to work, but that is not a car I can do my work in because it needs an inspection sticker. So, I planned Monday to take it to get looked at with the hopes that it just needed a belt. As luck would have it the belt was fine, but the alternator was not. Did you know a new alternator for a 2013 Kia runs $348? I called in reinforcements and got some help from Dad (so thankful for that!) Also, as luck would have it the shop had the part on the way as I arrived and assured me it would be good to go before close. $575 and about 2 hours later I was on my way, and grinning ear to ear ready to get back to work! My primary income is my work with Spark delivering orders for Walmart, which I love my work honestly. However, every now and then, inaction paralysis creeps in. Never had a job I liked as much as this one. Very few people to check in with just honest work. Show up work for an agreed upon amount finish the job and move on. Love it, and no police looking for me so good to go there too. However, when things pile up in West Virginia, it’s easy to get caught in inaction paralysis. I already lost the first of June, but I did spend it hard at work finishing stories for noggy.org and processing video. So, the second day being sunny and nice I was fucking ready to go! I take the car and drive it home, right as I am nearing my turn I notice the AC isn’t working. Then I look down and see the battery light has returned! Alas, my Kia, she over-heats now!!!! Her serpentine belt hath broken in twain. I pull over and call the shop, they send a tow and here I sit at home waiting for the third when I hope to get back on the road! Now through all of this old Bryan Noggy wants to be pissy and negative and resentful for NO REASON! That is why old Bryan Noggy died a few times… because he is no fun, and not able to help in a crisis because he experiences paralysis, due to inaction. Step in the NEW Bryan Noggy: This mofo looks at everything and takes inventory! I have my car disabled as she may be a car she still is. CHECK. I have my Dad helping with money he doesn’t have. CHECK. I have Chastity and Mikey both trying to help and just wanting it all to work out so I can get back to making the money we need to make society livable. DOUBLE CHECK. Furthermore, to avoid paralysis of inaction, I also have me, and I am going to keep working on any and all avenues that make sense, to provide the best life I can, for my family and myself, in that order! As long as I don’t rest, I can’t allow myself to feel bad for my situation. I can’t rest though. I must keep on working… producing… trying to make the world a better place! Trying to make the universe make sense to me the only way I know how: Teaching. Inaction paralysis will not catch me here. Not teaching in a punitive or authoritarian manner, instead teaching how to swim in life’s currents and help your fellow swimmers! If half of us can swim we can teach the other half before we all drown. If no one learns to swim we will not make it far! https://noggy.org/finding-balance-my-journey-into-2025/

In the remote hollows and burgeoning coal towns of West Virginia, WV Postmasters often served as community architects, information hubs, and namesakes—all from behind a general store counter. Postmaster bringing mail sacks. Pie by Library of Congress is licensed under CC-CC0 1.0 The Postal Pulse of Mountain Communities In an era before digital connectivity, West Virginia's post offices functioned as the…

Nestled within the rolling hills and river valleys of western West Virginia, State Route 25, commonly known as WV Route 25, serves as an unassuming yet vital connective thread through Putnam County’s rich history. This 12.47-mile highway stretches from the banks of the Kanawha River to Charleston’s urban edge, silently witnessing the transformation of a rural farming region into a modern industrial corridor.

Experiencing car trouble can be a daunting obstacle, but it’s just a bump in the road and the journey continues: Hello World, Just wanted to share a small hiccup in the usual flow of things. My trusty Kia (the very one that carries me all over these beautiful West Virginia hills to paint my poem) has started giving me the occasional battery warning light, indicating potential car trouble. It seems like it might be asking for a little TLC – perhaps the alternator or battery needs attention, or, as my Dad thinks and I hope: Just a loose belt! While it’s just a temporary slowdown, this car trouble got me thinking about how crucial this vehicle is. It’s not just wheels; it’s the mobile command center for gathering the footage, interviews, and moments that fuel this blog. Every backroad trip to deliver supplies to my community, every journey to connect with folks while sharing stories of recovery and resilience – it all relies on this faithful ride getting me there safely and without car trouble interrupting. Keeping the blog going and these West Virginia stories rolling means keeping the car running too, despite any car trouble. As always, your presence here means the world. Whether you share a post, leave an encouraging comment, or choose to support the blog directly (you could be the first one!), it all adds up and makes this work possible. It’s how I keep documenting the strength, the challenges, and the hope I found right here. I’ll get the car sorted soon – a necessary pit-stop! Thanks, as always, for being part of this journey and helping share these stories from the Mountain State. Onward! With Love, Bryan Noggy More Reading: https://noggy.org/ungrateful/

Along the jagged and rugged terrain of southern West Virginia, the Coal River watershed—comprising the Big Coal, Little Coal, and mainstream Coal River—has been far more than a geographical feature. For over three centuries, this 88-mile waterway has served as a catalyst for exploration, an engine of industry, and a mirror reflecting the complex relationship between natural resources and human ambition.

Along the Kanawha River just nine miles west of Charleston, the neighboring communities of Dunbar and Institute, West Virginia, share geography but remain distinct entities. Their separation, particularly the status of West Virginia State University (WVSU) as an unincorporated part of Institute rather than absorbed into Dunbar, reflects deep historical roots, racial legacies, and ongoing tensions over identity and autonomy. This enduring divide recently flared again with controversial annexation efforts, revealing unresolved questions about community, governance, and equity.

The construction of Interstates 79, 77, and 64 through Charleston, West Virginia, stands as a testament to mid-20th-century engineering ambition. It also highlights the complex interplay between urban development and community displacement. Central to this story is the transformation of Pennsylvania Avenue, a downtown corridor that became a focal point of controversy and progress during the highway’s construction. This blog post traces the history of I-64’s path through Charleston, emphasizing its impact on Pennsylvania Avenue and the surrounding neighborhoods.

Nestled at the confluence of the Ohio and Little Kanawha rivers, Parkersburg, West Virginia, is a city steeped in history, from its Revolutionary War roots to its industrial heyday. This blog post explores the layered past of a town that has witnessed pivotal moments in American history, hosted scandalous political plots, and evolved into a hub of Appalachian culture. Early Settlement and Founding…

IntroductionWest Virginia University (WVU) has long positioned itself as the state’s flagship academic institution. However, its relationship with its regional campus, WVU Tech, has been fraught with tension. This article argues that WVU deliberately marginalized the Montgomery campus of WVU Tech. This was done to avoid internal competition with its Morgantown-based engineering programs. WVU leveraged the collapse of Mountain State University (MSU) in Beckley to facilitate the relocation.