Long Branch

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

Long Branch is an unincorporated community in Fayette County, West Virginia, United States. Long Branch is located near the West Virginia Turnpike, 1.1 miles (1.8 km) northwest of Pax. Long Branch had a post office, which closed on October 3, 1998. The community was named for a nearby and relatively long network of creeks and valleys.

The on-the-ground condition of Long Branch 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 Long Branch 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 Long Branch is roughly 37.9228, -81.2756 — use it as a starting point and cross-reference a current topographic map before leaving pavement.

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.