Community

The County

Preston County is a rural area in the mountains of Northern West Virginia. It lies in a very strategic location, only two hours from Pittsburgh, and four hours from Washington, D.C., via I-68East. Only a half hour from Kingwood is Morgantown, home of the West Virginia University. This provides excellent cultural and educational opportunities for Prestonians.

Preston is bordered by Garrett County, Maryland and Fayette County, Pennsylvania. Both are well known resort areas. To the immediate south is the recreational area of Canaan Valley in West Virginia.

Preston County has its own recreational attractions. The Cheat River is one of the most famous white water rafting experiences in the nation. Also here is the Alpine Lake Resort, with downhill and cross country skiing in the winter and golf and swimming in the summer. Big Bear Lake Camplands is also located in Preston County. It features a number of lakes and a water park. Camping, Fishing, Hunting, four wheeling are big recreational activities for many local residents.

Preston’s industries include agriculture, timber, and mining. The lush mountain meadows and pastures make this one of the leading livestock raising areas in West Virginia. The deep hardwood forests yield oak, popular and maple for furniture and specialty markets.

Preston County is a great place to call home. We have the advantages of being near a major research university, including quality health care at rates 20% below the national average, and access to cutting-edge technology for keeping our businesses and our children competitive. We also have only a short drive to the cultural opportunities found in larger metropolitan areas such as Morgantown, Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Washington, DC.

Preston County has all the benefits that living in a rural county affords, including reasonably priced homes and land, friendly people, beautiful scenery, and a wealth of recreational opportunities. For 30 years, West Virginia has claimed one of the lowest crime rate in the nation, and Preston County proudly maintains one of the lowest crime rates in West Virginia. People here are honest and hard working.

We are ready to provide you with a welcome home here in Preston County, and we would be happy to host you for a visit. Come and see for yourself why you should locate in Preston County.

Recreation

Within Preston County there is a variety of recreational opportunities for everyone. Two golf courses; several whitewater rafting companies which run the Cheat, Tygart, and other nearby rivers; cross country skiing; various court sports; and virtually every type of hunting and freshwater fishing are available.

There are youth leagues for football, cheerleading, baseball, soccer, wrestling, and basketball. The Craig Civic Center in Kingwood hosts concerts, youth and adult dances, roller skating basketball games, exercise programs, and other community activities. The Kingwood Parks and Recreation Department operates a city swimming pool and lighted tennis courts in season.