Fairmont: Trails, History and Culture

Fairmont offers several distinct points of interest for travelers: trails along creeks and rivers, historic sites, and an annual festival. The trails vary in both length and route. The MCTRAIL is one of two trails within the city limits and is located on the East Side. It runs for 2.5 miles along Pricketts Creek and includes a 1,200-foot illuminated tunnel.

Trails and River Routes

At 14.5 miles, the West Fork River Trail is considerably longer and follows the West Fork River between Fairmont and Shinnston. In 2021, Fairmont established an in-town connection from downtown to the West Fork River Trail with sharrows and directional signs. The Upper Mon Water Trail offers another option: it begins in Fairmont and heads north along the Upper Monongahela River to Ten Mile Creek. The trails described thus differ not only in length but also in route and direction.

Prickett’s Fort State Park

Prickett’s Fort State Park is near Fairmont and offers several specific points of interest. A reconstruction of the original Prickett’s Fort recalls life on the Virginia frontier in the late 18th century. The park also has nature trails, a bird-watching platform, and a boat ramp. The trailhead with a bicycle repair station is also useful for cycling travelers: from there, the MCPARC Trail leads to Fairmont.

Local History and Culture

The Fairmont Downtown Historic District extends along Adams, Washington, Quincy, Cleveland, and Fairmont Avenues. The Frank & Jane Gabor West Virginia Folklife Center is housed in a repurposed historic barn on the Fairmont State University campus. It offers workshops, exhibitions, and outreach events to the wider community.

The Marion County Historical Society & Museum is housed in a former county sheriff’s residence built in 1912. Its exhibits include a compass used to survey what is now West Virginia. Museum docents offer tours of the museum and the old jail. If you plan to take a tour, check the specific dates in advance. The compass makes this surveying history tangible through a specific object.

Festival and Pepperoni Roll

Held annually in Fairmont in July, the Johnnie Johnson Festival honors Fairmont native Johnnie Johnson and features live entertainment and food. If you want to plan your stay around the event, check the specific festival dates in advance. Country Club Bakery is another culinary point of interest: it is considered the home of the original Pepperoni Roll and has been in business since 1927.

For the broader travel overview: Marion.