Our Community
The serenity of a rocking chair on a porch, a view of trees populating magnificent forests, climbing rocks in a clear mountain stream, wildlife approaching undisturbed, the majesty of a rose-colored sunset in the blue-green mountains…. these are the elements of life in Randolph County that call out to the soul searching for peace in a bustling world. It is possible to have a ten minute commute to the office, participate in youth sporting events five minutes from home, and drive to churches, restaurants and shopping without traffic jams.
At just over one thousand square miles, Randolph County is the largest of fifty-five counties in West Virginia. It is situated in the mountains of the central eastern section of the state where the Monongahela National Forest covers much of the county. Many pure, cold-water mountain streams converge and empty into the wide, fertile valleys of the Tygart and Cheat Rivers. The mountainous terrain has a direct effect on the population in the county with the 2000 census showing a modest 27.2 people per square mile. The mountains also helped to shape the attitudes and energies of the people who first settled this area in 1753, and the cultural heritage they passed on is now a thriving part of daily life here in Randolph County.
Randolph County is home to numerous jobs within wood product manufacturing, a field that has shown steady employment growth in the last several years. The largest employers in the county include wood technology, retailers, health care, education, and state and federal agencies. Currently, there is huge potential growth within the coal mining industry with two new mines fully operating and a third under construction. Tourism is also steadily growing. Nearly every outdoor activity found across West Virginia is found in Randolph County, including skiing (in neighboring counties), caving, boating, whitewater rafting, camping, hunting, fishing, rock climbing, and hiking.
Historic train routes have been re-connected and provide train services into the downtown depot in Elkins, the county seat of Randolph County. Highways serving the area include U.S. Routes 33, 219 and 250 and West Virginia state routes 92 and 55. Sections of Corridor H have been completed and the eventual connection of Interstate 79 and Interstate 81 could be a great stimulus to business growth in the county. The Elkins-Randolph County Airport consists of two runways that are 4,500 feet each in length. Beautiful countryside, clean environment, low crime rate, reasonable property taxes, excellent medical facilities, varied cultural activities and active civic and service organizations are just a few of the many favorable aspects of life in Randolph County today, as well as reasons for confidence in the county's future.
At just over one thousand square miles, Randolph County is the largest of fifty-five counties in West Virginia. It is situated in the mountains of the central eastern section of the state where the Monongahela National Forest covers much of the county. Many pure, cold-water mountain streams converge and empty into the wide, fertile valleys of the Tygart and Cheat Rivers. The mountainous terrain has a direct effect on the population in the county with the 2000 census showing a modest 27.2 people per square mile. The mountains also helped to shape the attitudes and energies of the people who first settled this area in 1753, and the cultural heritage they passed on is now a thriving part of daily life here in Randolph County.
Randolph County is home to numerous jobs within wood product manufacturing, a field that has shown steady employment growth in the last several years. The largest employers in the county include wood technology, retailers, health care, education, and state and federal agencies. Currently, there is huge potential growth within the coal mining industry with two new mines fully operating and a third under construction. Tourism is also steadily growing. Nearly every outdoor activity found across West Virginia is found in Randolph County, including skiing (in neighboring counties), caving, boating, whitewater rafting, camping, hunting, fishing, rock climbing, and hiking.
Historic train routes have been re-connected and provide train services into the downtown depot in Elkins, the county seat of Randolph County. Highways serving the area include U.S. Routes 33, 219 and 250 and West Virginia state routes 92 and 55. Sections of Corridor H have been completed and the eventual connection of Interstate 79 and Interstate 81 could be a great stimulus to business growth in the county. The Elkins-Randolph County Airport consists of two runways that are 4,500 feet each in length. Beautiful countryside, clean environment, low crime rate, reasonable property taxes, excellent medical facilities, varied cultural activities and active civic and service organizations are just a few of the many favorable aspects of life in Randolph County today, as well as reasons for confidence in the county's future.
Fairs & Festivals
For more information and events, please visit www.elkinswv.com
Antique and Classic Car Annual Extravaganza Elkins, WV 304.636.4335 Website: www.erccc.com Augusta Heritage Festival City Park Elkins, WV 304.637.1209 or 1.800.624.3157 Email: [email protected] Website: www.augustaheritage.com Beverly Heritage Days Beverly, WV 304.636.5032 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.historicbeverly.org Bowden Fishing Derby Bowden, WV 304.637.0238 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.wvdnr.gov Coalton Days 3rd Weekend in June Coalton, WV 304.636.3267 |
Helvetia Fair 2nd Weekend in September Helvetia, WV Website: www.helvetiawv.com Maple Syrup Festival 3rd Weekend in March Pickens, WV 304.934.5096 Website: www.pickenswv.com Mill Creek Celebration Mill Creek, WV 304.335.7470 Mountain State Forest Festival End of September/First of October weekend Elkins, WV 304.636.1824 Email: [email protected] Website: www.forestfestival.com Randolph County Fair Beverly, WV Email: [email protected] Website: www.randolphcountyfairwv.com |
Parks & Recreation
- Elkins City Park - located in downtown Elkins. Equipped with play areas, basketball court, horse shoe pits, pavillions with picnic tables and grills. Area is filled with trees and shaded.
- Riverbend - Sport fields, playground equipment, walking path, picnic pavillions and grills.
- Robin Harvey Baseball Field - A community baseball field used for local, regional and state competitions.
- Stuart's Recreation Area - A recreational facility located on the Shaver's Fork of the Cheat River in the Monongahela National Forest.
- Kumbrabow State Park - Created in 1934 by the Civilian Conservation Corps Act and located in the Allegheny highlands of southern Randolph County.
- Fishing/Hunting - Cold-water streams abound with Bass and Trout. October and November are traditional hunting months.
- Spelunking - Caves abound in the county. Several caves are open to the public in neighboring counties.
- Bicycling - Allegheny Highland Trail is 23 miles connecting Elkins and Parsons.
- Canoeing/Kayaking/White Water Rafting - nearby locations and on the Cheat River.
- Golf - Elks Country Club Golf Course is located in the city of Elkins, Raven golf course located on Snowshoe Mountain, and the Canaan Valley Resort golf course in Canaan Valley.
- Skiing - Randolph County is nearby three ski resorts: Canaan Valley Ski Resort, Snowshoe Ski Resort and Timberline Ski Resort.
- Girls on the Run - Girlsontherun.org A 12-week/2-days per week aftershool activity for girls in grades 3-8th empowering girls to lead a healthy, well-balanced life workingtoward achieving goals. The program endswith all the girls participating in a 5K walk/run.
Cultural Activities
American Mountain Theater - Professional, local talent performing Country, Gospel and Bluegrass music and comedy on a level with Branson, MO. www.americanmountaintheater.com
Augusta Heritage Center - Hosted by Davis & Elkins College, promotes the preservation of traditional arts, music, dance, crafts and folklore. www.augustaheritage.com
Davis & Elkins College - Founded in 1904, Davis & Elkins College makes a significant impact on the quality of life in Randolph County. The college is home to a National Historic District that features two Victorian mansions, "Halliehurst" and "Graceland," as well as four other architecturally and historically significant buildings. The College's Harper-McNeeley Auditorium seats 1,200 and hosts a wide range of arts and cultural events throughout the year. Other facilities on the campus include the Flynn Planetarium and the Darby Collection, an extensive museum-quality collection of prehistoric and historic artifacts. www.dewv.edu
Elkins Historic Landmarks Commission - A commission of five people appointed by the City Council who are actively engaged in preserving the history of Elkins. The group is headquartered in the historic Darden House in downtown Elkins.
Old Brick Theater - produces several productions each year. Offers opportunities for youth with an Apprenticeship Program for high shool students and a variety of summer camps for younger children.
Railroad Museum - Coming soon! The WV Railroad Museum, Inc. is raising funds for a permanent building in the old Elkins' railyard to house the growing collection of equipment currently being stored in Belington and Durbin. www.wvrailmuseum.com
Randolph County Community Arts Center - located in a beautifully restored church in downtown Elkins, the center provides exhibits and performances of local and visiting artists. Excellent art education programs are available. www.randolpharts.org
Rich Mountain Battlefield - Site of the July 11, 1861 battle of the First Campaign of the Civil War that helped pave the way to West Virginia Statehood. Visitor Center located in historic Beverly, WV with exhibits and artifacts relative to the battle. Battlefield site and center open year round with living histories and reenactments scheduled annually. www.richmountain.org
Augusta Heritage Center - Hosted by Davis & Elkins College, promotes the preservation of traditional arts, music, dance, crafts and folklore. www.augustaheritage.com
Davis & Elkins College - Founded in 1904, Davis & Elkins College makes a significant impact on the quality of life in Randolph County. The college is home to a National Historic District that features two Victorian mansions, "Halliehurst" and "Graceland," as well as four other architecturally and historically significant buildings. The College's Harper-McNeeley Auditorium seats 1,200 and hosts a wide range of arts and cultural events throughout the year. Other facilities on the campus include the Flynn Planetarium and the Darby Collection, an extensive museum-quality collection of prehistoric and historic artifacts. www.dewv.edu
Elkins Historic Landmarks Commission - A commission of five people appointed by the City Council who are actively engaged in preserving the history of Elkins. The group is headquartered in the historic Darden House in downtown Elkins.
Old Brick Theater - produces several productions each year. Offers opportunities for youth with an Apprenticeship Program for high shool students and a variety of summer camps for younger children.
Railroad Museum - Coming soon! The WV Railroad Museum, Inc. is raising funds for a permanent building in the old Elkins' railyard to house the growing collection of equipment currently being stored in Belington and Durbin. www.wvrailmuseum.com
Randolph County Community Arts Center - located in a beautifully restored church in downtown Elkins, the center provides exhibits and performances of local and visiting artists. Excellent art education programs are available. www.randolpharts.org
Rich Mountain Battlefield - Site of the July 11, 1861 battle of the First Campaign of the Civil War that helped pave the way to West Virginia Statehood. Visitor Center located in historic Beverly, WV with exhibits and artifacts relative to the battle. Battlefield site and center open year round with living histories and reenactments scheduled annually. www.richmountain.org
LibrariesDavis & Elkins College Booth Library - Built in 1992, the library is located in the center of the college campus. Has space to house 300,000 volumes, 500 periodicals and includes a media center, a community room and a student lounge. www.dewv.edu
Elkins Public Library - Contains 30,000 volumes and participates in an inter-library loan program. Collection includes CD's, DVD's, videos, and on-line computers for patrons. Summer children's reading program and children's computer. Services include fax, copying and notary. 416 Davis Avenue, Elkins, WV 26241 304.637.0287 Website: http://elkins.lib.wv.us Helvetia Public Library Main Street, Historical Square PO Box 15, Helvetia, WV 26224 304.924.5063 Pioneer Memorial Library Harman, WV 304.227.4788 Tygart Valley Public Library PO Box 517, Mill Creek, WV 26280 304.335.6277 Valley Head Public Library PO Box 98, Valley Head, WV 26294 304.339.6071 VolunteerRandolph County Elementary Schools has a Title I Parent Specialist, Linda Zickefoose, who trains teachers and parents on important educational issues. She also does Volunteer Training several times a year to inform parents on how they can help in their child's school. A Parent Resource Center is located at Homestead Elementary School where parents can borrow parenting materials on different topics.
Parents and community can also volunteer by supporting their school's PTO, PTA, PTSO, or booster organizations as well as volunteering to serve on school committees such as Local School Improvement Council, Title I Parent Advisory Council, and the Safe Schools Committee. If you are already a volunteer and need to continue your volunteer status, please download the application below under attachments to complete the Continuing Parent Volunteer application, and also to view Randolph County Schools' Volunteer Policy 3120.09. If there are any questions about how to become a volunteer, please contact Linda Zickefoose at 1-304-338-4146. |
Sports Programs
Local GovernmentRandolph County, WV
County Quick Facts Year Founded: 1787 County Seat: Elkins 2005 Population: 28,571 County Courthouse PO Box 2092 Elkins, WV 26241 (304) 636-2114 County Website | City of Elkins Website Cities and Towns Beverly / Coalton / Elkins / Harman / Huttonsville / Mill Creek / Montrose Other Communities Adolph / Aggregates / Alpena / Arnold Hill / Bemis / Bowden / Brady Gate / Bruxton / Canfield / Cassity / Crystal Springs / Czar / Dailey / Dryfork / East Dailey / Elkins Junction / Elkwater / Ellamore / Evenwood / Faulkner / Glady / Helvetia / Jimtown / Kerens / Little Italy / Mabie / Mingo / Monterville / Newlonton / Norton / Osceola / Pickens / Pumpkintown / Read / Smith Crossing / Spangler / Sullivan / Tigheville / Upper Mingo / Valley Bend / Valley Head / Weaver / Whitmer / Whyte Source: http://www.wv.gov/local/county/Pages/randolph.aspx Business PartnersRandolph County Schools proudly promotes school-business partnerships. Whether you are a small business or a major corporation, our schools need you. As a partner, you are helping to build a strong foundation for economic success in Randolph County. Partners in Education is an investment in our children, our community and our future.
For more information contact the school of your choice or the Randolph County Schools Finance Department. |