Mahan doesn't need a haunted reputation — the empty streets do the talking. Walter Everett "Red" Mahan (June 23, 1902 – May 10, 1990) was an American football player. He played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Frankford Yellow Jackets in 1926 NFL season.
Fayette County holds 59 documented ghost towns, including Ames, Bachman, Beury — Mahan keeps them company on the map.
The story of Mahan
West Virginia's ghost towns are coal company towns, owned outright by the mine and abandoned the same way.
Walter Everett "Red" Mahan (June 23, 1902 – May 10, 1990) was an American football player. He played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Frankford Yellow Jackets in 1926 NFL season. Mahan won the 1926 NFL championship with the Yellow Jackets. Prior to playing in the NFL, Mahan played college football at West Virginia University. While at West Virginia he was a four-year letterman during which time the Mountaineers lost only three games. In 1922, Mahan helped West Virginia to a 10–0–1 record.
What you'll find today
The on-the-ground condition of Mahan 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 Mahan 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 Mahan is roughly 38.0250, -81.3550 — 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
Mahan FAQs
01Where is Mahan located?
02What county is Mahan in?
03What is the history of Mahan?
04What remains at Mahan today?
05Can you visit Mahan?
Sources: account based on Wikipedia (“Walter Mahan”), CC BY-SA.
More in Fayette County
Milburn
Fayette Co., West Virginia
Read the guideWesterly
Fayette Co., West Virginia
Read the guideKingston
Fayette Co., West Virginia
Read the guideIngram Branch
Fayette Co., West Virginia
Read the guideLong Branch
Fayette Co., West Virginia
Read the guideWillis Branch
Fayette Co., West Virginia
Read the guide