Posted in West Virginia Attractions July 10, 2022 by

Most People Have No Idea There’s An Underwater Ghost Town Hiding In West Virginia

Summersville Lake is a popular attraction in Nicholas County, West Virginia for tourists and locals to have some outdoor fun. While the lake is an ideal destination for a day of play, you might be surprised to learn that Gad, West Virginia, used to exist where the water now is. If you’re curious to know more about this former town in this part of the Mountain State, read on to learn Gad’s unique history.

Summersville Lake is a man-made reservoir.
Flickr/Richard Freeman
Also known as the Gad Dam, it was constructed between 1960 and 1966 by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, in order to control flooding in the area.
The lake is a popular recreation area and has also been referred to as the "Bahamas of the East Coast".
Flickr/John
Activities on the lake include swimming, fishing, boating, snorkeling, and scuba diving.
The lake holds a hidden history under its surface.
Flickr/Random Michelle
From the 1800s to 1960, the village of Gad existed where Summersville Lake is now.
Youtube/TheSCTVguy
Gad, West Virginia, was a farming community that many families called home.
Youtube/TheSCTVguy
A general store was central to the town of Gad. This was also the site of a post office.
Youtube/TheSCTVguy
There was even a small school that served the children who lived in Gad.
Youtube/TheSCTVguy
However, the whole town was sold to build the Gad dam. As a result, residents were forced to move away.
Youtube/TheSCTVguy

Occasionally Summersville Lake is drained for repairs, and you can still see parts of the roadway, foundations, and carvings in the rock from Gad’s former residents. Although those who lived there miss their old town, the Gad dam has saved the area from an estimated $407,400,000 in flood damages over the years.

If you’re a bit of a history buff and want to keep learning about forgotten ghost towns, take a look at this town that’s like Gad, West Virginia, And, if you’ve been to Summersville Lake, feel free to share what your experience was like in the comment section below.

Address: Summersville Lake, West Virginia, USA

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Gad West Virginia

July 15, 2022
Marla S.

What is the most scenic town in West Virginia?

Now that you’ve learned about the town of Gad, how about exploring a scenic town (or a few) when you’re in West Virginia? Just like spending the day on the water at Summersville Lake, there’s plenty to do in these small towns when you want to have an outdoor adventure or a weekend away. This includes strolling through one of these scenic towns’ downtown areas, grabbing a bite to eat at a local restaurant, taking in some of the historical sites, and using the town as a base to explore nearby parts of West Virginia too.

What are the best little-known attractions in West Virginia? 

As you’ve discovered, not many people know about the ghost town Gad.  However, unlike Gad, West Virginia, there are many lesser-known places around the state that you’re able to see and visit nowadays too. To make it easy for you, follow this mapped-out road trip to hidden gems scattered around the Mountain State. You’ll find tips on where to go on this massive list of lesser-known attractions in West Virginia as well.

What are the best outdoor adventures in West Virginia?

Along with Summersville Lake, there are many other popular destinations to check out if you’re looking for an outdoor adventure during your time in West Virginia. If you’re into hiking, there are a considerable amount of easy trails in the Mountain State to explore with your family. Feel to also reference this West Virginia nature guide for more ideas about some of the best outdoor adventures in the state.

Address: Summersville Lake, West Virginia, USA

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.