Beckley

Beckley is a city in Raleigh County, West Virginia, sitting at 738 meters (2421 feet) elevation on the Allegheny Plateau. The municipal area covers 24.6 square kilometers (9.5 square miles), blending forested ridges with residential and commercial districts.

The town was established in 1838 and named after John James Beckley, the first Clerk of the House of Representatives. It became the county seat of Raleigh County in 1850, growing into a hub for coal extraction across the region.

Tamarack Marketplace brings together craftspeople from across the region, offering pottery, textiles, and woodwork rooted in Appalachian traditions. The exhibition spaces rotate regularly, giving visitors a window into the artistic practices that have shaped mountain communities.

The junction of Interstate 64 and Interstate 77 leads directly into the center, while Raleigh County Memorial Airport offers flights to Charlotte and Parkersburg. The street layout is easy to follow, with most facilities located along main thoroughfares.

Four universities operate campuses within the city limits, including the West Virginia University Institute of Technology. This concentration of higher education in a smaller town creates an unusually academic environment for the southern Appalachians.

Location: Raleigh County

Inception: 1838

Elevation above the sea: 738 m

Website: http://beckley.org

GPS coordinates: 37.77972,-81.18306

Latest update: December 13, 2025 16:48