Ghost TownUSA

Ghost Town · West Virginia

Faraday

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

By the Ghost Town USA research team Last reviewed September 2026

Boomtowns are built on optimism; ghost towns are what's left when it runs out. Welcome to Faraday. Faraday is an unincorporated community in McDowell County, West Virginia, United States. It lies just north of the border with Tazewell County, Virginia on County Route 9.

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

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The story of Faraday

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

Faraday is an unincorporated community in McDowell County, West Virginia, United States. It lies just north of the border with Tazewell County, Virginia on County Route 9.

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What you'll find today

The on-the-ground condition of Faraday 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.

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Getting there

Here's the honest truth: access to Faraday 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 Faraday is roughly 37.2064, -81.6372 — use it as a starting point and cross-reference a current topographic map before leaving pavement.

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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.

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Survey Map

Approximate position — verify access locally before visiting

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Faraday FAQs

01Where is Faraday located?
Faraday is in McDowell County, West Virginia, mapped near 37.2064, -81.6372.
02What county is Faraday in?
Faraday sits in McDowell County, West Virginia. See our full guide to ghost towns in McDowell County for its neighbors.
03What is the history of Faraday?
Faraday is an unincorporated community in McDowell County, West Virginia, United States. It lies just north of the border with Tazewell County, Virginia on County Route 9.
04What remains at Faraday today?
The on-the-ground condition of Faraday 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.
05Can you visit Faraday?
Here's the honest truth: access to Faraday 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 Faraday is roughly 37.2064, -81.6372 — use it as a starting point and cross-reference a current topographic map before leaving pavement.

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

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More in McDowell County

All 19 ghost towns in McDowell County →