Clarksburg area
Around Clarksburg area
Photo: Tim Kiser (w:User:Malepheasant) · CC BY-SA 2.5 · Wikimedia Commons
Greater area · West Virginia · 144k people
Clarksburg area
Locals say North Central West Virginia · “Hub City”, “Jewel of the Hills”
Where the hills meet the sky.
West Virginia Wesleyan Bobcats orangeWest Virginia state flag blueAppalachian forest green
Welcome to North Central West Virginia, where the mountains meet small-town charm. Whether you're here for the pepperoni rolls or the covered bridges, you'll find friendly faces and plenty of outdoor adventure.
Clubs for Clarksburg area
No clubs for Clarksburg area yet.
The room
Clarksburg area is big: its rooms are its areas'. This is Clarksburg's; the others are below.
One room for everyone around Clarksburg. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Clarksburg area. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum Gothic-style former asylum, now a museum and tour destination.
- Philippi Covered Bridge Historic covered bridge spanning the Tygart Valley River.
- Tygart Lake State Park Lake, dam, and trails near Grafton.
- Stonewall Jackson Lake State Park Reservoir with lodge, golf, and camping near Weston.
- Audra State Park Swimming and hiking along the Middle Fork River.
- West Virginia State Wildlife Center Native animal exhibits in a natural setting.
- Outdoors Hiking at Audra State Park
- Outdoors Boating and fishing at Tygart Lake
- With kids Swimming at Audra State Park
- With kids Picnicking at Tygart Lake
- Evenings Concerts at the Robinson Grand
- Evenings Sports bars for Mountaineer games
- Locals love Covered bridge photo spots
- Locals love Small-town diners and cafes
Through the year
- Buckhannon Strawberry Festival May Celebrates strawberries with food and fun.
- West Virginia Blackberry Festival August Held in Weston, features blackberry treats.
- Harrison County Fair July County fair with rides and livestock.
Humid continental with four distinct seasons. Best time to be out is spring and fall for mild temperatures. Winters can be snowy, summers warm and humid. Best: Spring and fall are ideal for being outdoors with mild temperatures and colorful scenery.
Talk like a local
- “Hollar”
- A small valley or hollow between hills.
- “Crick”
- A creek or stream.
- “Pop”
- Soda or soft drink.
- “Mountaineer”
- A West Virginia University fan or student.
Getaways
- Morgantown WVU games and vibrant college-town nightlife.
- Elkins Mountain scenery and the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad.
- Wheeling Capitol Theatre and Wheeling Island attractions.
- Pittsburgh Major city museums, sports, and dining.
Local flavour
Teams
- West Virginia Wesleyan Bobcats NCAA Division II
- Alderson Broaddus Battlers NCAA Division II
Also rooting for West Virginia Mountaineers (NCAA Division I), Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL), Pittsburgh Pirates (MLB), Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL)
Eat and drink
- Pepperoni rolls state food of West Virginia
- Ramps (wild leeks) seasonal Appalachian delicacy
- Tudor's Biscuit World (biscuits and sausage gravy) regional chain
Where people go
- Covered bridges historic landmarks
- Historic small-town main streets quaint downtowns
- State parks and forest trails outdoor recreation
Heritage and traditions
This region is proud of its Appalachian heritage, from the first land battle of the Civil War to the birthplace of Mother's Day, and the strong Italian-American community that shapes Clarksburg's culture.
This time of year in Clarksburg area
- Apple butter stir-offs Autumn Autumn weekends feature communal apple butter making at local farms and churches.
- Fall foliage drives October October is prime time for scenic drives through the hills, with brilliant leaf colors.
Say it like a local: “crick” — creek (a small stream)
Festivals
- West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival September Clarksburg's largest ethnic festival, celebrating Italian-American culture with food, music, and a parade every September.
- Grafton Mother's Day Celebration May Honors the birthplace of Mother's Day with a church service and community events in May.
- Philippi Civil War Reenactment June Reenactors depict the first land battle of the Civil War at the Philippi Covered Bridge site.
- West Virginia Glass Festival September Held in Weston, this festival showcases the region's glassmaking heritage with demonstrations and exhibits.
- Buckhannon ArtWalk Summer A seasonal art walk featuring local artists, live music, and gallery openings in downtown Buckhannon.
Landmarks with a story
- Philippi Battlefield Site of the first land battle of the Civil War (1861), marked by the historic covered bridge.
- International Mother's Day Shrine A church in Grafton where Anna Jarvis held the first Mother's Day service in 1908.
- Stonewall Jackson Birthplace A preserved 19th-century house in Clarksburg where the Confederate general was born.
- Grafton National Cemetery A Civil War-era national cemetery with graves of Union soldiers, reflecting the region's wartime history.
- Clarksburg Historic District A downtown area with Victorian-era architecture, including the Harrison County Courthouse and historic storefronts.
- B&O Railroad Depot A restored train station in Grafton that played a key role in the region's industrial growth.
Food traditions
- Italian homemade pasta and sausage Clarksburg's Italian immigrants brought recipes for handmade pasta, sausage, and gravy, still served at family dinners and the Italian festival.
- West Virginia hot dogs with coleslaw A local twist: hot dogs are topped with chili, mustard, onions, and a generous scoop of creamy coleslaw.
- Apple butter making In autumn, families gather to stir apple butter in copper kettles over open fires, a tradition passed down for generations.
- Sorghum molasses Local farms press sorghum cane to make sweet molasses, used in baking or on biscuits.
- Buckwheat pancakes Made from locally ground buckwheat flour, these hearty pancakes are a winter breakfast staple.
Music and arts
- Appalachian folk and bluegrass Old-time string bands and bluegrass jam sessions are common at local festivals and community gatherings.
- Italian folk music The Italian Heritage Festival features tarantella dances and traditional songs, keeping the heritage alive.
- Glassblowing as art The region's glassmaking history inspires artisans who create decorative and functional glass pieces.
- Quilting and folk art Handmade quilts and folk crafts are sold at fairs and farmers markets, reflecting a strong craft tradition.
A little history
- 1861 First land battle of the Civil War
- 1908 First Mother's Day observance in Grafton
- 1824 Stonewall Jackson born in Clarksburg
- Late 1800s Glass manufacturing boom in the region
- Mid-1800s B&O Railroad expansion connected the area to eastern markets
Rivalries
- Bridgeport vs. Clarksburg high school football Friendly cross-town rivalry on Friday nights.
- WVU vs. Pitt Old Big East rivalry that still gets heated.
- Steelers vs. Ravens NFL rivalry that divides households.
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Game day Deer hunting season
- Outdoors Trout fishing in local streams
- Outdoors Apple picking at local orchards
- With kids Attending the West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival
- With kids Visiting the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum
Locals speak with an Appalachian accent, often dropping the 'g' in '-ing' words and using 'y'all' for plural 'you'. Unique terms like 'holler' and 'crick' are common, and 'pop' is used for soda.
Only here
- The first Mother's Day was observed in Grafton in 1908.
- The first land battle of the Civil War took place at Philippi in 1861.
- Stonewall Jackson was born in Clarksburg.
- The West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival is one of the largest ethnic festivals in the state.
New here? A few tips
- Embrace the hills: roads are winding and can be icy in winter—drive carefully and enjoy the scenic views.
- Try a pepperoni roll from a local bakery—it's a West Virginia staple, perfect for on-the-go.
- Say 'pop' for soda and 'y'all' for everyone—you'll fit right in.
- Visit the West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival in September to taste the best of local Italian culture.
- Don't miss a high school football game on a Friday night—it's a big community event.
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Areas in Clarksburg area
Nearby
Every areaMorgantownWest VirginiaWhere the hills meet the river and the Mountaineers never quit.BuckhannonWest VirginiaWhere the hills echo with history.WaynesburgPennsylvaniaWhere the hills hold stories and the people know your name.SuttonWest VirginiaWhere the hills keep you close.ElkinsWest VirginiaWhere the mountains whisperNew MartinsvilleWest VirginiaWhere the river bends and the hills roll on.Garrett CountyMarylandWhere Maryland meets the mountains.WheelingWest VirginiaWhere the river bends and the hills hold stories.
Fairmont-Clarksburg, WV CSA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.