Bartley

West Virginia's ghost towns are coal company towns, owned outright by the mine and abandoned the same way.

Bartley is a census-designated place (CDP) located in McDowell County, West Virginia, United States. It lies along the Norfolk and Western Railroad on the Dry Fork. As of the 2020 census, its population was 146 (down from 224 at the 2010 census). According to the Geographic Names Information System, Bartley has also been known as Bartlett and Peeryville.

The on-the-ground condition of Bartley is unverified — it's listed here with unknown status. That could mean standing buildings, or an empty field. Go prepared for either, and consider sharing what you find so the record improves.

Nobody has confirmed the access situation, so treat any visit as reconnaissance: verify land ownership first, and be ready to admire from the road.

Here's the honest truth: access to Bartley is unverified. We couldn't confirm whether the site sits on public land, private property, or something in between — so verify land ownership and local rules before visiting, and respect private property at all times.

Ghost-town etiquette is simple: take only photographs. Removing artifacts is illegal on public lands and disrespectful everywhere else — and on federal land it can be a serious offense.