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. The mapped point for Ennis is roughly 37.3758, -81.3928 — use it as a starting point and cross-reference a current topographic map before leaving pavement.
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.
Survey Map
Approximate position — verify access locally before visiting
Ennis FAQs
01Where is Ennis located?
02What county is Ennis in?
03What is the history of Ennis?
04What remains at Ennis today?
05Can you visit Ennis?
Sources: account based on Wikipedia (“Ennis, West Virginia”), CC BY-SA.
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