
West Virginia, with its rolling hills and picturesque landscapes, boasts several county seats that are particularly photogenic and tourist-friendly. One of the most notable is Lewisburg, the county seat of Greenbrier County. This charming town is renowned for its well-preserved historic architecture and vibrant cultural scene. The Greenbrier County Courthouse, with its elegant design and distinctive clock tower, adds to the town's historic ambiance. Lewisburg's downtown area is dotted with art galleries, boutique shops, and cafes, while nearby parks and the Greenbrier River offer scenic spots for relaxation and outdoor activities.
Another captivating county seat is Berkeley Springs, located in Morgan County. This town is famous for its natural springs and historic bathhouses, which draw visitors seeking relaxation and rejuvenation. The Morgan County Courthouse, while smaller, is an example of classic courthouse design, and the nearby Berkeley Springs State Park provides lush greenery and beautiful views. The picturesque town center features charming shops and eateries, making it a delightful spot for tourists.
In the eastern part of the state, Romney, the county seat of Hampshire County, stands out for its historic charm and scenic beauty. The Hampshire County Courthouse, with its classic architecture, complements the town's historical atmosphere. Romney is also home to several parks and is situated near the South Branch of the Potomac River, offering scenic river views and opportunities for outdoor recreation. The town's quaint streets and historic buildings make it a favorite among photographers and history enthusiasts.
On the southern side of West Virginia, Beckley, the county seat of Raleigh County, is another attractive destination. Beckley is known for its vibrant cultural scene, highlighted by the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine and the Youth Museum of Southern West Virginia. The Raleigh County Courthouse, with its prominent clock tower, adds to the town's visual appeal. Beckley's beautiful parks and the nearby New River Gorge provide ample opportunities for outdoor adventures and stunning photographs.
In the northern part of the state, the county seat of Wheeling in Ohio County offers a blend of historic and modern charm. The Ohio County Courthouse, with its grand design, stands as a testament to the area's rich history. Wheeling's waterfront along the Ohio River and its numerous parks offer scenic beauty and recreational activities. The town's vibrant arts scene and historical landmarks make it a noteworthy destination for visitors.
Regarding population sizes, West Virginia's largest county by population is Kanawha County, with Charleston as its county seat. Charleston, the state's capital, is a bustling city with a diverse range of attractions, including the West Virginia State Capitol and the Charleston Town Center Mall. The city serves as a major economic and cultural hub, attracting visitors with its numerous events, restaurants, and historical sites.
Conversely, the smallest county by population is Wirt County, with its county seat being Elizabeth. Elizabeth is a small, quiet town characterized by its serene environment and modest historical sites. The Wirt County Courthouse is a more understated building, reflecting the town's tranquil atmosphere. The surrounding landscapes, with their gentle streams and scenic vistas, offer a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of larger cities.
In summary, West Virginia's county seats provide a range of picturesque and tourist-friendly experiences. From the historic charm of Lewisburg and Berkeley Springs to the vibrant culture of Beckley and Wheeling, visitors are treated to a variety of scenic and historical attractions. The contrast between the bustling capital of Charleston and the serene Elizabeth in Wirt County highlights the diversity of West Virginia's county seats, each offering its unique appeal and character.
West Virginia County Seats
County Seat Addison, Webster County
County Seat Bath, Morgan County
County Seat Beckley, Raleigh County
County Seat Buckhannon, Upshur County
County Seat Charles Town, Jefferson County
County Seat Charleston, Kanawha County
County Seat Clarksburg, Harrison County
County Seat Clay, Clay County
County Seat Elizabeth, Wirt County
County Seat Elkins, Randolph County
County Seat Fairmont, Marion County
County Seat Fayetteville, Fayette County
County Seat Franklin, Pendleton County
County Seat Glenville, Gilmer County
County Seat Grafton, Taylor County
County Seat Grantsville, Calhoun County
County Seat Hamlin, Lincoln County
County Seat Harrisville, Ritchie County
County Seat Hinton, Summers County
County Seat Huntington, Cabell County
County Seat Kingwood, Preston County
County Seat Lewisburg, Greenbrier County
County Seat Logan, Logan County
County Seat Madison, Boone County
County Seat Marlinton, Pocahontas County
County Seat Martinsburg, Berkeley County
County Seat Middlebourne, Tyler County
County Seat Bath, Morgan County
County Seat Beckley, Raleigh County
County Seat Buckhannon, Upshur County
County Seat Charles Town, Jefferson County
County Seat Charleston, Kanawha County
County Seat Clarksburg, Harrison County
County Seat Clay, Clay County
County Seat Elizabeth, Wirt County
County Seat Elkins, Randolph County
County Seat Fairmont, Marion County
County Seat Fayetteville, Fayette County
County Seat Franklin, Pendleton County
County Seat Glenville, Gilmer County
County Seat Grafton, Taylor County
County Seat Grantsville, Calhoun County
County Seat Hamlin, Lincoln County
County Seat Harrisville, Ritchie County
County Seat Hinton, Summers County
County Seat Huntington, Cabell County
County Seat Kingwood, Preston County
County Seat Lewisburg, Greenbrier County
County Seat Logan, Logan County
County Seat Madison, Boone County
County Seat Marlinton, Pocahontas County
County Seat Martinsburg, Berkeley County
County Seat Middlebourne, Tyler County
County Seat Moorefield, Hardy County
County Seat Morgantown, Monongalia County
County Seat Moundsville, Marshall County
County Seat New Cumberland, Hancock County
County Seat New Martinsville, Wetzel County
County Seat Parkersburg, Wood County
County Seat Parsons, Tucker County
County Seat Petersburg, Grant County
County Seat Philippi, Barbour County
County Seat Pineville, Wyoming County
County Seat Point Pleasant, Mason County
County Seat Princeton, Mercer County
County Seat Ripley, Jackson County
County Seat Romney, Hampshire County
County Seat Saint Marys, Pleasants County
County Seat Spencer, Roane County
County Seat Summersville, Nicholas County
County Seat Sutton, Braxton County
County Seat Union, Monroe County
County Seat Wayne, Wayne County
County Seat Welch, McDowell County
County Seat Wellsburg, Brooke County
County Seat West Union, Doddridge County
County Seat Weston, Lewis County
County Seat Wheeling, Ohio County
County Seat Williamson, Mingo County
County Seat Winfield, Putnam County
County Seat Morgantown, Monongalia County
County Seat Moundsville, Marshall County
County Seat New Cumberland, Hancock County
County Seat New Martinsville, Wetzel County
County Seat Parkersburg, Wood County
County Seat Parsons, Tucker County
County Seat Petersburg, Grant County
County Seat Philippi, Barbour County
County Seat Pineville, Wyoming County
County Seat Point Pleasant, Mason County
County Seat Princeton, Mercer County
County Seat Ripley, Jackson County
County Seat Romney, Hampshire County
County Seat Saint Marys, Pleasants County
County Seat Spencer, Roane County
County Seat Summersville, Nicholas County
County Seat Sutton, Braxton County
County Seat Union, Monroe County
County Seat Wayne, Wayne County
County Seat Welch, McDowell County
County Seat Wellsburg, Brooke County
County Seat West Union, Doddridge County
County Seat Weston, Lewis County
County Seat Wheeling, Ohio County
County Seat Williamson, Mingo County
County Seat Winfield, Putnam County