Willis Branch

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

Willis Branch is an unincorporated community and coal town in Fayette County, West Virginia, United States. It was also known as Herberton.

The on-the-ground condition of Willis 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 Willis 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 Willis Branch is roughly 37.8936, -81.2625 — 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.