Located near the intersection of three major highways (Interstates 64 and 77, along with U.S. 19), Beckley developed from a small agricultural settlement into a commercial hub for the surrounding West Virginia coalfields. Today its economy is based primarily on retail, public services and tourism. Certainly, there is much to see and do in the area.
Beckley was named in honor of John James Beckley, who was the first clerk of the House of Representatives and the first librarian of Congress. The town was founded by his son, Alfred Beckley (a U.S. Army lieutenant and brigadier general with the Virginia militia), who was from the District of Columbia.
Although founded in 1838, Beckley existed only on paper at that time. Alfred Beckley said he was “frequently jeered and laughed at for his Paper Town.” Early in its history, the town was known as Beckley, Raleigh Court House and, occasionally, Beckleyville.
The town was originally located in Fayette County, Virginia. In 1850, an act of the Virginia Legislature created Raleigh County, naming Beckley the county seat. During the Civil War both Union and Confederate forces occupied the community.
Mining of Raleigh County’s rich bituminous coal deposits began in the 1890s, and a branch of the coal-hauling Chesapeake & Ohio Railway finally reached Beckley in 1901. The opening of the great Winding Gulf Coalfield in 1907, virtually on Beckley’s doorstep, spurred growth. After the Virginian Railway began building a new line in 1908, linking the area to the ports of Virginia, coal production quickly doubled and then tripled.
The Exhibition Coal Mine
The coal industry’s storied past is recalled at the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine, located at the city’s New River Park. Visitors to the Exhibition Mine board a “man car” to take a 35-minute trip through what once was an operating coal mine. Veteran miners guide each tour group. Guests are advised to wear a jacket, as the mine temperature is 58 degrees year-round.
The Exhibition Mine started out as just the short underground tour but has evolved into a cultural journey into the daily lives of early West Virginia miners. Besides touring the mine, guests can see a restored coal camp, the Rahall Company Store and a recreated pioneer village.
The coal mine complex is a seasonal attraction, operating from April 1 through Nov. 1. It draws some 48,000 visitors a year.
Tamarack
Visitors to the area can enjoy a one-of-a-kind shopping and dining experience at Tamarack, the state’s spectacular arts and crafts center located directly off Exit 45 of the West Virginia Turnpike in Beckley.
Tamarack was built in 1996 at a cost of $10 million. It displays more than 20,000 works of art from more than 2,800 juried artists and artisans (from all 55 counties in the state). The center’s theater hosts live shows every Sunday afternoon.
In addition to a remarkable shopping experience, visitors can indulge in the tasty food at the center’s bistro. Be sure to order its famous fried green tomato sandwich or legendary chicken pot pie.
With multiple indoor and outdoor spaces, Tamarack’s Conference & Event Center is the perfect place for professional engagements or personal events. 
Glade Springs
Located just a 20-minute drive from the New River Gorge National Park & Preserve, the Resort at Glade Springs offers an array of lodging accommodations and recreational activities, making for an appealing vacation experience.
Glade Springs has three golf courses, a spa, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a bowling alley and more. It features two restaurants, a sports bar and a café.
The resort is seated on a beautiful 4,100-acre property with more than 200 guest rooms available, ranging from traditional hotel rooms and suites to stand-alone villas.
Just beyond the resort’s gates, world-class whitewater rafting, downhill skiing, rock climbing and fly-fishing await, making Glade Springs a perfect destination for a vacation that feels far removed from the everyday routine, yet close to home.
Winterplace
Winterplace Ski Resort is a hugely popular ski resort located just 8 miles from the Resort at Glade Springs. Fans attest that Winterplace is the most accessible skiing area in West Virginia, even during heavy snowstorms. It features 27 trails and the state’s largest snowtubing park, offering 16 lanes of fun.
Visitors can enjoy the amenities of the full-service Resort Center or grab a bite at The Mountain House, a 10,000-square-foot mid-mountain facility with a great food court.
Winterplace is a popular destination for first-time skiers and snowboarders. It has a specially designed teaching area with two Super Carpet Lifts – conveyor belt-like lifts that offer a gentle, stress-free ride up the slopes. Beginners can then move on to the resort’s chairlifts to access all the beginner slopes. Winterplace guarantees you’ll learn to ski or snowboard – or you can retake the lesson again for free.
The Travel Plaza
West Virginia’s busiest travel hub just got a major upgrade with the grand opening of the $60 million Beckley Travel Plaza. Visitors can connect with travel information counselors for details on local theater performances, festivals and special events, making the plaza an ideal starting point for exploring the Beckley area and beyond. The facility, which opened in December 2024, boasts 50 additional parking spaces, 16 electric vehicle charging stations and a variety of dining options. More than just a pit stop, the Beckley Travel Plaza serves as a gateway to the area’s rich culture and outdoor adventures.
