Quick Facts
- State
- West Virginia
- County
- McDowell County
- Status
- Unknown Status
- Access
- Unknown Access
- Coordinates
- Not recorded
You don't stumble onto Gilliam by accident. That's rather the point. Gilliam is an unincorporated community on the North Fork River in McDowell County, West Virginia, United States. It lies between Algoma and Rolfe along County Route 17. The community was named after one Mr.
McDowell County holds 19 documented ghost towns, including Algoma, Bartley, Beartown — Gilliam keeps them company on the map.
The story of Gilliam
West Virginia's ghost towns are coal company towns, owned outright by the mine and abandoned the same way.
Gilliam is an unincorporated community on the North Fork River in McDowell County, West Virginia, United States. It lies between Algoma and Rolfe along County Route 17. The community was named after one Mr. Gilliam, a coal-mining official.
What you'll find today
The on-the-ground condition of Gilliam 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 Gilliam 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.
Gilliam FAQs
Where is Gilliam located?
What county is Gilliam in?
What is the history of Gilliam?
What remains at Gilliam today?
Can you visit Gilliam?
Sources: description based on Wikipedia (“Gilliam, West Virginia”), CC BY-SA.