Lilly

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

Thomas Jefferson Lilly (June 3, 1878 – April 2, 1956) represented West Virginia in the sixty-eighth United States Congress. He was the son of Joseph L Lilly and Martha Jane Cox. Thomas Lilly had a long career of service for his community and country. He was born in Dunns, West Virginia in Mercer County and began teaching in the rural schools of Mercer County while also tending to the family farm. He was elected Justice of the Peace and served from 1902 to 1906. After completing his term, he attended McKinley University in Chicago, Illinois, graduating with a degree in Law in 1911.

The on-the-ground condition of Lilly 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.

Here's the honest truth: access to Lilly 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.

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.