Discover Barboursville: History and Nature

Barboursville brings together local history, Queen Anne architecture, and outdoor activities. When choosing a destination for your hotel stay, you’ll find a range of things to explore here: historic buildings and a route connected to the area, as well as fishing opportunities and trails for walking, jogging, or cycling.

Local History Between Trade and Transportation

The Barboursville Historic District includes 20 buildings, 17 of which contribute to the area’s historic preservation. Its local significance is tied to Barboursville’s early development as a commercial center and its later location along transportation corridors. The area’s history can thus be viewed in two stages: first its commercial development, and later the role of the transportation corridors. The historic Midland Trail passes through the Village of Barboursville, adding a specific, named route to this local connection.

Queen Anne Architecture and Building History

Two houses illustrate Barboursville’s architectural history. Built in 1901, the Thornburg House is considered an unusual example of Queen Anne architecture in Barboursville and its surrounding area. The George McComas Home was built a year later, in 1902. This two-story residence is a wood-frame building in the Queen Anne style; the builder is identified as contractor P.A. Vallandingham. Together, the two construction dates provide a timeframe for the examples mentioned, while the architectural details give more specific context for each house.

Events may also play a role in travel planning: Civil War Days and Fall Fest take place annually in Barboursville. If one of these events is a deciding factor for your stay, check the specific dates and program before planning your trip.

Fishing and Trails at Lake William

Fishing is possible from the shore or the pier at Lake William. The lake is stocked each year with trout, catfish, and bass. This offers a specific fishing opportunity featuring three named fish species. A trail approximately one mile long also runs around Lake William and is used for walking and jogging. The approximate length can help you plan a walk or jog.

Hiking and Cycling Trails in Barboursville Park

Barboursville Park has more than 40 hiking and cycling trails. Their difficulty levels range from easy to difficult; on the map, trails are marked green for easy, blue for moderate, and black for difficult. This lets you take the indicated rating into account when choosing a trail, without reducing the different routes to a single difficulty level. As trail conditions and maps can change, check the current map and conditions before setting out.

Lake William and Barboursville Park offer different points of reference for planning: the lake has a named trail approximately one mile long, while the park offers a selection of more than 40 hiking and cycling trails with different ratings. Together with the area’s historical connections, they offer a varied picture of the place without presuming any particular reason for your trip.

Discover more destinations: Huntington

For the broader travel overview: Cabell County.