Visitors to Summers County, West Virginia will quickly learn what area residents have known for years, it’s a great place to live and work. High-Tech companies such as Computer Sciences Corporation, ManTech International, TSM, and PracticeLink have chosen to locate in Hinton over the past several years and should soon be joined by similar firms in the 38,000 square foot Hinton Technology Center under construction in the community’s historic downtown. Buncher Railcar, Greenbrier Nurseries of Talcott, and Unique Balance at nearby Pence Springs have made improvements in their businesses recently, indicating the faith they hold in the future of Hinton and Summers County.

Residents and visitors alike will appreciate the laid-back quality of life in Summers County secured with excellent police, fire, and rescue services. These departments contribute to the area’s low crime rate and provide quick, life-saving responses to emergencies. In addition to 24-hour emergency services and intensive care, the Summers County Appalachian Regional Hospital offers a full range of healthcare including surgery, radiology, CT-scanning, mobile MRI, ultrasound, cardiac rehabilitation, and long-term care. In addition, several agencies provide various counseling and wellness programs. The faith community is represented in nearly every denomination and provides a number of community-based activity programs in addition to spiritual counseling.

Summers County is blessed with a tremendous natural environment thanks to its beautiful mountains; the clear running Bluestone, Greenbrier, and New Rivers; and the Bluestone Dam and Lake. While outdoor recreational opportunities abound in Summers County, it’s also an area rich in history. Hinton, the Summers County seat, was originally laid out in 1831 and grew slowly until 1871. It was at that time that the Chesapeake & Ohio River Railroad company blasted its way into the New River Gorge and made Hinton its division terminal. Hinton became the county seat of Summers County in 1877 thanks to the railroad’s donation of three acres of land on which to build a courthouse. Spurred by the railroad, Hinton and Summers County experienced tremendous growth during the period between 1890 and 1920. The downtown Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and includes over 200 buildings ranging from store fronts to public spaces to private residences displaying the varying architecture of American Gothic, Classical, High Victorian, American Four Square and Greek Revival styles.

Summers County has a number of museums including the Veterans Memorial Museum, Wood’s Clock Museum, and the Hinton Rail Museum where railroad buffs will appreciate the outstanding collection of local railroad artifacts. In addition to being a large part of Summers County rail history, the Hinton Rail Depot on 2nd Avenue is still an active Amtrak stop and is currently undergoing a $1.5 million rehabilitation. Summers County’s rail history also includes the Talcott community, home of the John Henry Historical Park currently in development. The park will be comprised of 26-acres adjacent to the Great Bend Tunnel. It’s there that the John Henry legend began when John Henry won his famous competition with a steam drill brought in to help carve out the tunnel.

If you like the outdoors, Summers County is for you. Bluestone Lake and the three major streams that flow through the county offer excellent boating, canoeing, and fishing. The New River Gorge National River begins in the “Gateway Community” of Hinton and flows north to Fayette Station. Over its 52-miles course, the New River Gorge National River offers both thrilling whitewater adventures or leisurely float trips that are ideal for families. There are a variety of camping sites throughout the county and Bluestone and Pipestem Resort State Parks provide excellent lodging for those who enjoy a few more comforts of home. The Nostalgia Inn near the entrance of the Pipestem Resort State Park; the Sunset Bed & Breakfast, outside Hinton; and the Historic Pence Springs Resort also offer first-class accommodations. Pipestem Resort State Park also offers an exhilarating aerial tram ride into the Bluestone Gorge where the Black Bear Lodge and Restaurant await.

Bluestone State Park offers a variety of nature-based activities including hiking, biking, swimming, and fishing with boat rentals and an accessible fishing pier. Pipestem offers many of Bluestone’s outdoor activities and adds tennis and golf with its excellent 18-hole championship course that is supplemented by a 9-hole executive par-three course. Willowwood County Club offers another challenging 9-hole course that adds variety to the golfing opportunities in Summers County. Hunters will appreciate Summers County’s abundant turkey population and the deer herds roaming the county’s 3,000 acres of public hunting land. Summers County’s youth are not left out as Hinton boasts one of the finest Little League baseball parks in the state. Adjacent to the Little League field is Bellepoint Park offering covered picnic shelters and playground equipment in close view of the Bluestone Dam.

Summers County celebrates its environment and history with a number of annual festivals and special events ranging from antique car shows to Civil War reenactments. July offers the “John Henry Days” Festival, August brings the annual West Virginia State Water Festival, and Labor Day weekend means it’s time for the “Festival of the Rivers”. Hinton’s “Railroad Days Festival” brings out local and regional artisans, crafters, food vendors, and a variety of entertainers in October. However, when it comes to good eating, one doesn’t have to wait until one of these annual celebrations. There are a variety of year-round dining opportunities at one of the many fine restaurants located throughout the county. Many of these restaurants offer the added ambience of gorgeous river views from their dining rooms.

As you can see, Summers County truly is a great place to live and work. While area residents enjoy the laid-back, small town way of life, additional opportunities for shopping, dining, and entertainment are a reasonable drive away via an Interstate highway to Beckley, Charleston, and Lewisburg, West Virginia and Roanoke, Virginia. Come visit Summers County. We think you’ll want to stay once you do!

* Much of the information presented here was provided in context or in whole from the City of Hinton web site or the Summers County Convention & Visitors Bureau web site. Please consult both of these resources for additional information.