Posted in West Virginia March 19, 2015 by

Here Are 12 Strange But Awesome Things You’ll Only Find In West Virginia

West Virginia has quite the reputation of being full of illiterate, inbred hillbillies. While I cannot vouch for all of us, the majority of us are average Americans living average lives. However, here are just a few things that make our state unique.

We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/
1) Hillbilly Hotdogs, located in Lesage, WV, has some of the most original hotdogs that one will ever encounter. Try out the Home Wrecker, a fifteen inch long hot dog!
Matt/Flickr
Here in West Virginia, we love our food! Which leads me to my next point...
2) A true West Virginia hot dog! Our dogs here in WV typically come topped with mustard, chopped onions, chili, and coleslaw. Yum!
Mike McCormick Flickr
3) The Mystery Hole, located in Ansted, WV, is an attraction that brings in guests both young and old.
langsm Flickr
Visit the Mystery Hole April through October to witness first-hand some of the most unusual things that will leave you wondering!
4) Ah yes, how could I not mention the "Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia"?
Keith Flickr
The Whites are a family from Boone County, WV, that never fail to amaze people. Depending on where you go and who you ask, you will get a wide spectrum of opinions on the White family. Personally, I believe that this family is your stereotypical "West Virginia" family, which is actually an incorrect stereotype! Not all West Virginians are unusual (to say the least), the majority of us are average Americans with daytime jobs, running vehicles, and normal marriages. We don't normally get that upset over some sloppy eggs! If we were all unique like the Whites, there wouldn't be a documentary specifically about this family. We would have a movie about our state... oh wait, we do! Wrong Turn!
5) Tudor's Biscuit World! Tudor's is a restaurant that actually began in Nitro, West Virginia and is most commonly found here.
James Flickr
The chain has now expanded to Ohio, Kentucky, and Virginia. Tudor's has country cookin' like biscuits made from scratch and homestyle breakfasts and dinners. Again, a true West Virginian knows their food!
6) Blenko Glass Company, located in Milton, WV, is known for its stunning hand-blown glass pieces.
Megan Morris Flickr
7) The town of Richwood, WV, holds an annual ramp festival every April. It has been dubbed the "Feast of the Ramson!" Richwood's nickname is "The Ramp Capital of the World!"
Wild West Virginia Ramps
8) The Hatfields and McCoys: two famous families that feuded in the late 1800s.
Hatfield and McCoy Wiki
The anger between these two families lasted decades, and it all started because of the murder of a McCoy that some Hatfields were believed to have been behind. The Coffin Quilt, a novel by Ann Rinaldi, is actually set in Kentucky (where the McCoys actually lived) but is about the feud between the two families, through the eyes of a young McCoy. All in all, four Hatfields, seven McCoys, and a Deputy Sheriff ended up losing their lives. These two family names are now famous across the states.
9) The Coal House, located in Williamson, WV, is a building made of coal masonry. It was the only of its kind when it was built in 1933, but in 1959 there was a second coal house built in Lewisburg.
Jimmy Emerson DVM Flickr
In 2010, the Williamson Coal House actually caught fire (Who would have thought?) but ended up only suffering minimal damage to the outside structure. It reopened in September of 2011.
10) In Kenova, WV, resides the famous Pumpkin House. Owner Ric Griffith, the town mayor, hand carves over 3000 pumpkins each year every Halloween season. Talk about some dedication!
Frank Pierson Flickr
11) The Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope is the world's largest fully steerable radio telescope, and its right here in WV! How fascinating!
Erik Dunham Flickr
12) How many rednecks does it take to eat roadkill? Two. One to eat, the other to watch for cars!
Emmett Unlimetted Flickr
The Annual West Virginia Road Kill Cook-off is one of the more unique things that WV has to offer, to say the least. If you aren't queasy, drive down to Marlinton on September 26, 2015, and join the many that celebrate in eating things like squirrel gravy over biscuits and deer sausage!

I’ve lived in West Virginia my entire life, and I can honestly say that I have experienced every single one of these unique things about our state. I’ve watched the White family’s documentary, I’ve been to a “Critter Dinner,” and I have certainly been to Tudor’s my fair share! Who wouldn’t love those homestyle biscuits and gravy?! What are some things that you think make our mountain state unique?