Boomtowns are built on optimism; ghost towns are what's left when it runs out. Welcome to Fayette. Fayette County is a county in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the indicated population was 40,488. Its county seat is Fayetteville.
Fayette County holds 59 documented ghost towns, including Ames, Bachman, Beury — Fayette keeps them company on the map.
The story of Fayette
West Virginia's ghost towns are coal company towns, owned outright by the mine and abandoned the same way.
Fayette County is a county in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the indicated population was 40,488. Its county seat is Fayetteville. It is part of the Beckley, WV Metropolitan Statistical Area in Southern West Virginia.
What you'll find today
The on-the-ground condition of Fayette 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 Fayette 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 Fayette is roughly 38.0300, -81.0900 — 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
Fayette FAQs
01Where is Fayette located?
02What county is Fayette in?
03What is the history of Fayette?
04What remains at Fayette today?
05Can you visit Fayette?
Sources: account based on Wikipedia (“Fayette County, West Virginia”), CC BY-SA.
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