Huntington | USA West Virginia

Huntington, located on the western edge of West Virginia, sits along the Ohio River near the borders with Kentucky and Ohio. It is the second-largest city in the state, a historic industrial hub that evolved into a cultural, educational, and medical center. Its atmosphere today is a mix of old Appalachian grit and emerging creative renewal, all framed by the quiet power of the river and the surrounding hills.

Setting and Geography

Huntington lies in Cabell County, with parts extending into Wayne County. The city’s heart stretches along the wide Ohio River, where barge horns and train whistles still echo off the water. Across the river is Ohio’s rolling farmland, while to the south, wooded ridges rise gently toward the Appalachian foothills.

Its grid-like downtown runs parallel to the river, designed in the late 19th century during its days as a booming railroad town. Broad avenues and orderly blocks-such as 3rd Avenue and 5th Avenue-remain lined with a blend of brick warehouses, 1920s theaters, and modern glass-front buildings. Summers are humid and green, winters mild but often misty; the river fog can shroud the city in silver light at dawn.

Historical Background

Huntington was officially founded in 1871 by Collis P. Huntington, the railroad magnate who extended the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway (C&O) to the Ohio River, making the city a crucial eastern terminus for coal and timber shipments. His vision turned the once-rural riverfront into an industrial powerhouse almost overnight.

By the early 20th century, Huntington was a bustling trade and manufacturing center-producing steel, glass, and river machinery. Its rail connections to coal fields and river ports fueled growth and gave it a reputation as one of the most modern small cities in the Appalachian region.

The Great Depression slowed its economy, but post–World War II years revived manufacturing and education. One of the city’s defining moments came in 1970, when Marshall University’s football team and staff tragically died in a plane crash-a loss that deeply shaped the city’s identity and resilience, later immortalized in the film We Are Marshall.

Economy and Education

Modern Huntington’s economy has diversified. Its industrial roots remain, but major growth sectors include healthcare, education, logistics, and technology. The Cabell Huntington Hospital, St. Mary’s Medical Center, and the Edwards Comprehensive Cancer Center form the core of a robust regional healthcare network that serves both West Virginia and neighboring states.

Marshall University, with more than 12,000 students, is the city’s defining institution-its campus spreads along 3rd and 5th Avenues, infusing the downtown with youthful energy, arts programs, and research initiatives. The university’s medical and pharmacy schools anchor innovation in biomedical fields, and its athletic programs are a deep source of civic pride.

Once reliant on coal and manufacturing, Huntington now promotes itself as a healthcare and education hub with growing entrepreneurship in small tech firms, logistics companies, and creative industries. The Port of Huntington Tri-State remains one of the largest inland ports in the United States, vital for coal, petroleum, and cargo transport along the Ohio River system.

Culture and Community Life

Huntington carries an old industrial soul softened by university life and Appalachian hospitality. The city’s downtown has undergone steady revitalization, with art murals, live music venues, and restaurants breathing life into once-quiet blocks.

Pullman Square, a modern mixed-use development on 3rd Avenue, blends shops, cafés, and a cinema with outdoor spaces that host concerts and markets. Just a few steps away, Heritage Station, a restored 19th-century railway depot, has become a small artisan village with boutiques, galleries, and local eateries. The Huntington Museum of Art, set on a wooded hill above the city, holds one of the most respected art collections in the region and maintains sculpture gardens and forest trails around its grounds.

The Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center, a grand 1928 movie palace in Spanish Baroque style, remains a centerpiece for cultural events, from symphony concerts to the Marshall Artists Series. Every August, the Rails and Ales Festival draws thousands to the riverfront to sample regional craft beers and live music.

Residents value their traditions but also their resilience. Huntington was once dubbed the “fattest city in America,” but it has since become a national example of community-led health reform after chef Jamie Oliver’s “Food Revolution” project brought awareness to local diet and education efforts in the early 2010s.

Landmarks and Natural Spaces

The city offers a blend of urban landmarks and outdoor recreation:

Ritter Park: A green oasis in the South Side, known for its rose garden, tennis courts, jogging trails, and summer theater. Locals gather here for picnics and art fairs, and the park’s stone bridges and old trees make it one of the most beloved spots in the city.

Harris Riverfront Park: Runs along the Ohio River downtown; ideal for walks, bike rides, and festivals. From here, one can watch barges drift past at sunset.

Heritage Farm Museum and Village: A living-history site that recreates Appalachian pioneer life with cabins, museums, and craftsmen demonstrations. It sits just outside town and captures the region’s rural roots.

Camden Park: A nostalgic amusement park operating since 1903, with wooden coasters and vintage rides that retain old-time charm.

Huntington Museum of Art Trails: Offer peaceful walks through wooded ridges and sculpture gardens overlooking the city.

Neighborhoods and Atmosphere

Each area of Huntington tells a distinct story:

Downtown – the historic and commercial core, walkable and full of local character.

South Side – residential and tree-lined, with parks and older brick homes.

West End – historically industrial, now home to working-class neighborhoods and river terminals.

Highlawn and Altizer – family areas near the river, dotted with small churches and community centers.

University District – youthful, full of coffeehouses, student apartments, and bars that buzz on Marshall game nights.

There’s a certain nostalgic feel to Huntington-the sound of trains passing across bridges, the smell of fresh popcorn during football games at Joan C. Edwards Stadium, and porch lights glowing along quiet side streets. The community is friendly and practical, with deep civic pride despite economic hardships.

Modern Huntington

Huntington today is a city in transition-grounded in its past but slowly reshaping its future. Revitalization projects are bringing new life to downtown blocks. The Old Central City Antique District has become a favorite for collectors and visitors who enjoy browsing warehouses full of vintage furniture and regional crafts. Local chefs champion Appalachian ingredients like ramps, trout, and cornbread, reinterpreted for modern tastes.

Public art installations, student projects, and community initiatives continue to shape a more vibrant city identity. Healthcare expansion and Marshall’s research programs are helping to stabilize the local economy. Though challenges remain-poverty, opioid recovery, and population decline-the city’s resilience and sense of identity are strong.

At twilight, when the streetlamps come on and the Ohio River reflects the orange glow of downtown lights, Huntington feels quietly proud-rooted in coal and rail history, yet still dreaming toward a different kind of future, one built on knowledge, creativity, and community.