You don't stumble onto Ream by accident. That's rather the point. Ream may refer to: Paper ream, a unit of quantity for paper Ream (surname) Reamer, tool used to widen a hole Ream, West Virginia Ream, the name of Rama in the Khmer version of the Ramayana, the Reamker Ream National Park
McDowell County holds 19 documented ghost towns, including Algoma, Bartley, Beartown — Ream keeps them company on the map.
The story of Ream
West Virginia's ghost towns are coal company towns, owned outright by the mine and abandoned the same way.
Ream may refer to: Paper ream, a unit of quantity for paper Ream (surname) Reamer, tool used to widen a hole Ream, West Virginia Ream, the name of Rama in the Khmer version of the Ramayana, the Reamker Ream National Park, a national park in Cambodia Ream Naval Base, Sihanoukville, Cambodia
What you'll find today
The on-the-ground condition of Ream 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 Ream 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 Ream is roughly 37.3498, -81.5498 — 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
Ream FAQs
01Where is Ream located?
02What county is Ream in?
03What is the history of Ream?
04What remains at Ream today?
05Can you visit Ream?
Sources: account based on Wikipedia (“Ream”), CC BY-SA.
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