Ghost Town USA

Ghost Town · West Virginia

Ennis

A ghost town of unknown status in McDowell County, West Virginia.

By the Ghost Town USA research team · Last reviewed September 2026

Ennis ghost town, West Virginia
Photo: Nyttend (Public domain) via Wikimedia Commons

Quick Facts

Status
Unknown Status
Access
Unknown Access
Coordinates
Not recorded

You don't stumble onto Ennis by accident. That's rather the point. Ennis is an unincorporated community in McDowell County, West Virginia, United States. Ennis lies on U.S. Route 52, west of Switchback.

McDowell County holds 19 documented ghost towns, including Algoma, Bartley, Beartown — Ennis keeps them company on the map.

The story of Ennis

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

Ennis is an unincorporated community in McDowell County, West Virginia, United States. Ennis lies on U.S. Route 52, west of Switchback. The community most likely was named after a local resident, Joanna Ennis McQuail, wife of coal operator William McQuail.

What you'll find today

The on-the-ground condition of Ennis 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.

Getting there

Here's the honest truth: access to Ennis 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.

Good to know

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.

Ennis FAQs

Where is Ennis located?
Ennis is in McDowell County, West Virginia. Precise coordinates aren't on record, so research maps and local directions before you go.
What county is Ennis in?
Ennis sits in McDowell County, West Virginia. See our full guide to ghost towns in McDowell County for its neighbors.
What is the history of Ennis?
Ennis is an unincorporated community in McDowell County, West Virginia, United States. Ennis lies on U.S. Route 52, west of Switchback. The community most likely was named after a local resident, Joanna Ennis McQuail, wife of coal operator William McQuail.
What remains at Ennis today?
The on-the-ground condition of Ennis 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.
Can you visit Ennis?
Here's the honest truth: access to Ennis 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.

Sources: description based on Wikipedia (“Ennis, West Virginia”), CC BY-SA.

More Ghost Towns in McDowell County

See all 19 ghost towns in McDowell County, West Virginia