The first city-owned parking garage in America did not open in New York or Chicago. It opened in 1941 in a small coal town in southern West Virginia, and drivers still park there today.
That same town sits in a county often listed among the poorest in the state. The census numbers tell a hard story, and nobody pretends otherwise.
Yet the downtown holds a giant history mural, a riverside park built after back-to-back floods, and an arts center inside an old post office.
I love a place that refuses to be summed up by a spreadsheet. A future president once campaigned on its streets.
Coal once made its sidewalks some of the busiest in the southern coalfields.
So what does a town like this offer a curious traveler now? More than you might guess.
Even better, plenty of it costs nothing at all.
1. Welch Municipal Parking Building
Big cities like to brag about their firsts, but Welch quietly beat them to one. The city’s parking building is widely recognized as the first municipally owned parking garage in the United States.
The structure was dedicated in September 1941, just months before the country entered World War II. Think about that for a second, because it means a mountain coal town solved a parking problem before most of America knew it had one.
Why did a small town need a garage at all? During the coal boom, Welch drew crowds of shoppers from surrounding coal camps, and downtown streets reportedly packed up fast on weekends.
Here’s the part that makes history buffs grin. John F.
Kennedy campaigned in Welch during his 1960 run for president, and the town still treasures that connection.
You don’t need a ticket or a tour guide to appreciate this one. Simply pulling in and parking puts you inside a working piece of American history.
For travelers who love a free, quirky stop, it’s hard to top. Snap a photo, stretch your legs, and then explore the rest of downtown on foot.
Address: 59 McDowell Street, Welch, WV 24801
2. McDowell County Courthouse
Stone walls, a proud tower, and more than a century of stories make this courthouse the anchor of Welch. It serves as the seat of government for McDowell County, just as it has since the coal era.
The building dates to the 1890s, and it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. That recognition reflects both its architecture and its role in the region’s long, complicated labor history.
History lovers will find this spot especially meaningful. The courthouse is tied to events surrounding the West Virginia Mine Wars of the early 1920s, a chapter that still shapes how the coalfields remember themselves.
You can admire the exterior from the sidewalk without spending a dime. The rough-cut stone and Romanesque style stand out sharply against the steep hills behind town.
Plan to bring your camera and a little patience. Morning light on the stone can make for a striking shot, especially in fall when the ridges change color.
Remember that it’s still a working government building. Weekday business goes on inside, so keep your visit respectful and enjoy the history from the outside steps.
Address: 90 Wyoming Street, Welch, WV 24801
3. City Of Welch Mural
Want the whole history of Welch in one glance? Head downtown, because local artist Tom Acosta painted it right onto a wall for you.
The City of Welch Mural works like a giant timeline. It covers the town’s story from 1858 through 2008, which is a lot of ground for one painting to carry.
Scenes stretch across the wall in bright, readable panels. You can trace how a quiet mountain valley grew into a bustling coal hub and then faced the changes that followed.
Parents traveling with kids will appreciate how easy this makes a history lesson. Nobody has to read a textbook when the story is painted larger than life.
It also makes a natural starting point for a downtown stroll. Once you know the town’s past, the old storefronts and the parking garage suddenly make a lot more sense.
Take your time and look closely at the details. Murals like this often reward a second look, and it’s free to linger as long as you like.
Address: Near 170 McDowell Street, Welch, WV 24801
4. Riverfront Park
Floods hit Welch hard in 2001 and again in 2002, and the town answered with a park. That decision says a lot about the people who live here.
The downtown riverfront park, named for Martha H. Moore, grew out of that recovery effort.
Instead of leaving damaged ground empty, the community shaped it into a public space beside the water.
One detail makes this spot stand out from ordinary town greens. The design reportedly incorporates remnants of older structures, so pieces of the past still stand inside the new space.
It’s a lovely place to slow down after exploring Main Street. Grab a bench, listen to the water, and let the mountains do their quiet work.
For budget-minded travelers, this is the kind of stop that feels like a bonus. There’s no admission, no schedule, and no rush to move along.
Families can let little ones burn off energy while grown-ups enjoy the view. Either way, you’ll leave with a clearer sense of how much this town has weathered.
Address: 141 McDowell Street, Welch, WV 24801
5. Jack Caffrey Arts & Cultural Center
First it handled the mail, then it sold cars, and now it showcases art. Few buildings in West Virginia have lived as many lives as this one.
The Jack Caffrey Arts & Cultural Center opened in 2019 inside a renovated historic structure. That building once served as a post office and later as an automobile dealership.
Today the center acts as a community gathering place. It hosts art exhibitions, educational programs, meetings, and special events throughout the year.
What makes it special is the mission behind the walls. The center focuses on preserving local heritage while giving residents a hopeful place to create and connect.
Curious travelers should check the event calendar before visiting. A gallery show or class might line up perfectly with your road trip through the coalfields.
Grown-ups who love local art will find plenty to enjoy here. Kids often get hooked too, especially when hands-on programs are on the schedule.
Address: 143 Wyoming Street, Welch, WV 24801
6. Coal Heritage Trail
Some road trips are about the destination, but this one is all about the drive. The Coal Heritage Trail is a National Scenic Byway, and Welch sits right along its route.
The byway winds through the southern West Virginia coalfields. Along the way, you’ll pass old company towns, rail lines, and landmarks tied to the industry that built the region.
Driving it gives Welch some helpful context. You’ll see why this town grew into a busy commercial center when coal was king.
The best part for travelers on a budget? A scenic byway costs nothing more than gas and a free afternoon.
Plan for slow, curvy roads and plenty of photo stops. Mountain highways here reward drivers who take their time and watch for small historical markers.
Older travelers with roots in the coalfields may find this drive especially moving. Many families can trace grandparents or great-grandparents to camps along this very route.
Bring snacks, fill the tank, and pick a sunny day. Then let the hollows and ridges tell their own story mile by mile.
Address: Coal Heritage Trail National Scenic Byway, passing through Welch, WV 24801
7. Hatfield-McCoy Trails
Mud on your boots counts as a souvenir in McDowell County. The famous Hatfield-McCoy Trails system runs through this part of southern West Virginia.
The network stretches across hundreds of miles of trails in several counties. It draws ATV and off-road riders from across the country to the rugged Appalachian backcountry.
Welch benefits from that steady stream of trail visitors. Riders often stop in nearby towns for supplies, meals, and a place to rest between rides.
Adults looking for a thrill will find plenty here. The terrain climbs ridges, dips into hollows, and opens onto views that are hard to reach any other way.
Permits are required for riding, so sort that out before you load up the trailer. Check trail system rules too, since safety gear and age guidelines apply.
Even non-riders can appreciate what the trails mean for the area. They’ve given small mountain towns a fresh reason for visitors to come back.
Address: Trail access points throughout McDowell County, WV
8. Panther State Forest
Southern West Virginia hides a quiet forest named after a big cat. Panther State Forest sits in McDowell County, a short drive from Welch.
The forest offers a peaceful escape into thick Appalachian woods. Hiking trails, picnic areas, and campsites make it a handy base for an inexpensive getaway.
Many visitors come for the fire tower, a classic feature of the region’s state forests. Climbing up rewards you with sweeping views of rolling ridges in every direction.
Families on a budget will appreciate a stop like this. A picnic lunch and an afternoon hike can easily fill a day without stretching the wallet.
The roads in can be narrow and winding. Give yourself extra time, and enjoy the scenery rather than racing the clock.
Pair a forest visit with an evening in Welch for a nice balance. You get mountain quiet in the afternoon and small-town history before dinner.
Address: Panther State Forest, Panther, WV 24872
9. Tug Fork River
Water shaped Welch long before coal did. The town grew up where Elkhorn Creek meets the Tug Fork, tucked between steep hillsides.
That geography explains a lot about how Welch looks today. Buildings press close to the riverbanks because flat land is scarce in these mountains.
The Tug Fork also has a famous reputation. Farther downstream, it forms part of the border between West Virginia and Kentucky, the same region linked to the legendary Hatfield and McCoy feud.
Of course, the river has tested the town too. The floods of the early 2000s remind residents how quickly calm water can rise.
Still, the river remains a scenic backdrop for a downtown walk. Photographers will love how the water, the bridges, and the brick storefronts line up against the ridges.
Spend a few minutes simply watching it roll by. You’ll understand why folks feel so tied to this valley, through good years and hard ones.
Address: Riverfront along McDowell Street, Welch, WV 24801
10. Downtown Welch
During the coal boom, downtown Welch reportedly buzzed like a much larger city. Some folks even nicknamed it a little New York of the coalfields.
That bustling era left behind a remarkable stretch of historic buildings. Brick storefronts and older commercial blocks still line streets squeezed tight between the hills.
Welch is the county seat of McDowell County, which census figures often place among the poorest counties in West Virginia. Those numbers are real, but they leave out the pride people take in this place.
A downtown walk ties the whole trip together. The parking garage, the courthouse, the mural, the park, and the arts center all sit within easy reach.
Budget travelers can explore for hours without spending much at all. Bring comfortable shoes, because the best way to see Welch is slowly and on foot.
Leave room in your plans to support local businesses along the way. Every visit helps a proud mountain town keep writing its next chapter.
Address: McDowell Street, Welch, WV 24801
