A Visitor's Guide for Pennsboro, West Virginia

The small town of Pennsboro lies quietly to the north of Route 50 in eastern Ritchie County, WV. The town was once a stop on the Northwest Turnpike. The Northwest Turnpike was one of the main roads west in the early days of the country running from Winchester Virginia to Parkersburg (now West Virginia). Later the town was a stop on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad that ran between Clarksburg and Parkersburg (Washington DC and Cincinnati Ohio to be more precise) and provided another great transportation link. During those days Pennsboro was a thriving little town with a famous raceway and a glass factory.

Over the years the turnpike became Route 50 and the railroad pulled up its tracks. The Pennsboro Speedway was also replaced by newer tracks in the region and the glass factory was forced to close its doors as well. Many of the other industries also faded from garment making to all the service industries that catered to travelers. Today Pennsboro is trying to hold onto its history and past while embracing the future.

The Old Stone House sits near Main Street and once served as an inn for travelers along the turnpike. Originally built in 1810, the house now serves a museum to the time period in which it was built. A new lodging, the Legacy Inn has recently opened its doors in town in an old warehouse building. The residents also have preserved the train depot in town commemorating the town's place in America's railroad heritage.

The former Baltimore and Ohio rail bed has become the North Bend Rail Trail. The rail trail provides over 50 miles of trail between Clarksburg and Parkersburg WV for hikers, bikers, and horseback riders. The trail includes many tunnels including some in the immediate Pennsboro area. Many Pennsboro businesses are closely located to the rail trail offering food and beverages for those on the trail. The Old Stone House and the restored depot are also located along the trail.