By Jim Hunt
I was recently in Kingwood, West Virginia, to attend a weightlifting competition in which my son competed. The event was held at the Kingwood Civic Center and attracted a large crowd of competitors and spectators. Sitting there and watching the activity, I was reminded once again of how important a facility like that can be to a small town.
The Kingwood Civic Center is more than just a building. It is a community gathering place and also houses the town offices. For a small community in the hills of West Virginia, that kind of asset matters. It gives people a place to come together for events, public business, and shared experiences. In many towns, a building like that becomes part of the backbone of the community.
My visit brought back many memories because I have been traveling to Kingwood for much of my life. During my junior year at Notre Dame High School in Clarksburg, I was chosen to attend the West Virginia Youth Leaders Camp at Camp Dawson, just outside of Kingwood. The camp was run by the West Virginia National Guard and gave us a taste of military life during the week.
We also heard presentations from state political leaders and members of the WVU football coaching staff. It was a great experience, and I made friends from throughout West Virginia.
A few years later, while attending West Virginia University, I joined the West Virginia National Guard during my sophomore year. During that time, we spent many weekend drills in Kingwood and came to know the community well. Over the years, the Guard has invested heavily in Camp Dawson, which has grown into a sprawling complex of training facilities and acreage used for camping and military maneuvers. It remains an important part of the region.
Kingwood also left another impression on me over the years, and that was Mamie’s. It was a local restaurant known for some of the best donuts and pastries I have ever had. Sometimes it is the simple things that stay with you most about a town.
What I have always appreciated about Kingwood is that it has remained steady. With a population of around 3,000, it has held onto its small-town character while continuing to prosper.
Its downtown historic district reflects that pride. One of the notable buildings is the Kingwood National Bank Building, built in 1908 with locally sourced stone. It is the kind of structure that reminds you that these towns were built to last.
Then there is the Kingwood Buckwheat Festival, a tradition that has been part of the community for generations. Started in 1938, the festival continues through the efforts of the Kingwood Volunteer Fire Department and many dedicated volunteers. Held on the last Thursday of each September, it brings visitors from throughout the area to enjoy Preston County’s famous buckwheat cakes and sausage.
Kingwood may be a small town, but it has played a meaningful role in many lives, including mine. Like so many West Virginia communities, it reminds us that the strength of our state is found in places where people still gather, traditions still matter, and community still means something.
