Welch (West Virginia)



Welch is a town of 1,600 people (as of 2019) in West Virginia, and the county seat of McDowell County. Incorporated in 1894, it was named for Confederate captain Isaiah A. Welch, who founded the city and was a leader in the area's coal development. Historically, Welch was a prosperous coal town, but the community fell on severely hard times when the coal boom of the early 20th century came to an end. The area still suffers from regular flooding, which has kept the economy depressed.

These days, the area has become well-known for its connection to author Homer Hickam Jr, a native of nearby Coalwood, whose 1998 autobiographical book Rocket Boys: A Memoir was adapted as the 1999 film October Sky.

Get in
Welch is located on US-52 between Williamson in the west and Bluefield in the east.

See

 * Many abandoned tipples, which were used to transport coal and slate to dump sites, can be seen throughout the county.
 * The interestingly-named town of War, a mining community on WV-16. Homer Hickam's 1960 science fair award was on display in Big Creek High School, which unfortunately was demolished after catching fire in 2015.
 * The interestingly-named town of War, a mining community on WV-16. Homer Hickam's 1960 science fair award was on display in Big Creek High School, which unfortunately was demolished after catching fire in 2015.

Events

 * Autumn Harvest Festival. Live entertainment, fairground rides, food booths.
 * October Sky Festival, in Coalwood. Held annually in early October. Book signings by Homer Hickam and the Rocket Boys, representatives from NASA and Space Camp USA, rocket shootings, parade, speeches, live entertainment, food and souvenir booths.

Buy

 * If you want a local souvenir, the Coalwood Community United Methodist Church has published a cookbook entitled Cooking the Coalwood Way with favorite regional recipes.
 * As McDowell County is the heart of West Virginia's coal-mining territory, coal sculptures are also a popular local souvenir.

Eat

 * Friendly Mart Diner, in Panther, +1 304-938-3031. Try the slaw-topped hot dogs and french fries.



Motels

 * Big Four Motel, in Big Four, 304-585-7313.
 * Count Gilu Motel, Vocational School Road, 304-436-3041.

Go next

 * Bluefield is about 1 hour southeast on US-52.
 * Williamson is a little over 1.5 hours northwest on US-52.
 * Pineville is less than 30 minutes north on WV-16