Elkins (pop. 7,032) is the seat of Randolph County (28,262) and is located in north-central West Virginia about 145 miles south of Pittsburgh and 135 miles northeast of Charleston WV at the intersection of US-33, US-219 and US-250. Elkins has an urban cluster population of 9,871. The city is situated at an elevation of 2,000 feet amidst the Allegheny Mountains just outside the Monongahela National Forest.
Located along the Tygart River, Elkins was founded in 1890 by railroad tycoons who developed the Central West Virginia and Pittsburgh Railway. Elkins grew as a center of rail transportation, coal mining, timbering and manufacturing. Today, Elkins exists as an important jumping-off point for the countless outdoors recreation opportunities nearby. Liberal arts college Dave & Elkins is located here.
West Virginia Series
Buckhannon
Elkins
Kingwood
Parsons
Weston
traveling through the mountains from Buckhannon to Elkins... golly there was some gorgeous scenery along the way
the weather also got much more dreary as I descended into Elkins... here's some industrial grit
tourist train through the mountains
yard sales were popular in Elkins too... though Buckhannon was surely the epicentre of West Virginia yard sale culture
urban decay
another abandoned school
I was initially quite disappointed with Elkins... I had imagined it as being "even better than the lovely, lively Buckhannon!"... but my first discoveries were of decay and abandonment... and Downtown was eerily quiet...
some impressive buildings... founded rather late in 1890... Elkins must've grew up quick
a mansion on Davis & Elkins' campus overlooking downtown
a caged building
there appeared to be a handful of interesting restaurants downtown... but not a creature was stirring...
maybe these rail enthusiasts will patronize downtown's businesses after the ride
my opinion of Elkins started to improve when I stumbled across a rather interesting festival in their lovely city park
The Augusta Heritage Festival is a celebration of traditional "American" musical styles... such as bluegrass, zydeco, and folk...
I then ascended the hill to the campus of Davis & Elkins... which was founded in 1904
two hilltop mansions form part of the campus
a little treat for all of you who love dorky modernist architecture... the Eshleman Science Center (1972)
HQ of the Monongahela National Forest
I then discovered some really great residential areas
The Randolph County Courthouse was completed in 1907