Discover Marion: History, Nature and Pepperoni Roll Tradition

Marion offers many different reasons to travel: a long series of cascades and hiking trails, historic sites, and a distinctive regional food culture. Those who put nature and history at the center of their trip will find plenty to explore, along with music and local traditions.

Experience Nature: Cascades, Hiking Trails and Lakes

Valley Falls State Park is known for a half-mile series of cascades. The park also has 18 miles of hiking trails. Trail conditions can change seasonally. On the water, both whitewater kayaking and recreational kayaking are possible; you must bring your own watercraft and safety equipment.

Dents Run Wildlife Management Area offers a different experience. The area covers more than 1,000 acres and includes two lakes and a shooting range. Hiking there is challenging: the trails are unmarked, the terrain is rugged, and outings are more like bushwhacking than hiking on maintained trails. Check the rules and facilities in effect before your visit.

Mannington Lake and Dents Run Lake are options for fishing. Both offer warmwater fishing and are stocked with largemouth bass, sunfish, crappie and catfish. The natural attractions differ not only in their scenery: Valley Falls State Park is known for its cascades and extensive trail network, while Dents Run combines rugged terrain and lakes. Fishing regulations and seasons can change.

Colonial History and Regional Culture

Prickett's Fort combines a striking location with a historic reconstruction: the site overlooks the confluence of Prickett's Creek and the Monongahela River. The reconstructed fort recalls the original colonial-era refuge. As a living history site, it features costumed interpretations and demonstrations of colonial crafts; programming varies by season. Visitors can also tour the original 19th-century Job Prickett House there. Workshops on historic crafts such as blacksmithing and basket weaving are held annually. Check the schedule for a specific visit.

The Frank and Jane Gabor West Virginia Folklife Center is housed in a repurposed historic barn. Its archives focus on folklore and writers from West Virginia. Workshops, exhibits and outreach events serve the university and the wider public. A recurring program is the Traditional Acoustic Jam, held on the last Friday of each month from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Check the specific date before your trip.

Architectural and cemetery history is also diverse. The one-story abbey chapel at Woodlawn Cemetery was built between 1924 and 1929 in the Egyptian Revival style and contains 200 burial chambers. The cemetery follows the rural cemetery landscape style: natural, park-like grounds and paved paths shape its design.

Museums, Memorials and Historic Trails

The Marion County Historical Society and Museum is located in the former home of the county sheriff. Among the items on display is a compass used in surveying what is now West Virginia. Docent-led tours are available at the museum and the adjoining old jail. The Telephone Museum brings together switching equipment, pay phones, telephone booths, test panels and other telephone equipment; its tours are led by people who worked in the telephone industry.

Those interested in Civil War history can explore the Marion County Civil War Trail as a self-guided historical tour. The Marion County Civil War Guide describes seven Civil War markers in the county. Another memorial site is the Monongah Mine Disaster Memorial, dedicated to the 361 miners who died in the 1907 mining disaster. On the Rail Trail, historic coal mining signs lead to the memorial. The Rail Trail in Marion County was completed in 1993, from Prickett's Fort to the corner of Winfield Street and Morgantown Avenue.

At the Sagebrush Round-Up, there's an open stage on Saturday evenings, followed by several hours of classic country music. Since the schedule should be checked before you travel, it's worth checking the program dates.

Pepperoni Rolls and Traditions in Mannington

Pepperoni rolls are designated as the official state food of West Virginia. The classic roll consists of a soft white yeast roll with pepperoni baked into its center. Fairmont baker Giuseppe “Joseph” Argiro is credited with inventing the pastry in 1927. This regional classic brings together a simple, clear recipe and a distinct history.

The West Virginia Pepperoni Roll Trail offers a free digital pass. At participating restaurants, you can check in at each stop using a code; locations may change. Another tradition centered on the pastry is The Great Pepperoni Roll Drop in Mannington: on New Year's Eve, a giant replica of a pepperoni roll is dropped at midnight. Event details may vary, so check the current program before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Fairmont, Boone County, Pendleton County, Lewis County, Logan, Wayne County, Hampshire County, Nicholas County.

For the broader travel overview: West Virginia.