Andrew Coletti

1 week ago | atlasobscura.com | Andrew Coletti

Vintage hats and necklaces, glassware, local handmade crafts, trains, clocks, books, and more pack the shelves at Alderson’s, one of the oldest stores in West Virginia. Established in 1887 as J.M. Alderson General Merchandise, the shop was the go-to for sundries and other necessities of the time. Sarah Alderson, the present-day proprietor, is a direct descendant of Elder John Alderson, who founded the town itself in 1777.

1 week ago | atlasobscura.com | Andrew Coletti

One of the best ghost stories in history took place in this southeast county of Greenbrier, West Virginia. According to legend, in 1897, young bride Zona Heaster Shue was found dead in her home, lying at the bottom of the stairs. Initially, townspeople assumed she had died of natural causes, until Zona’s mother, Mary, reported multiple visits from Zona’s ghost saying that, actually, she had died at the hands of her enraged husband, Edward.

1 week ago | atlasobscura.com | Andrew Coletti

On the banks of the Ohio River in northwest West Virginia, the Blennerhassett Hotel stands as a testament to an unrivaled era of grandeur. Built in 1889 by Colonel William Nelson Chancellor, the impressive Queen Anne-style accommodations catered to the oil and gas barons, millionaires of their time. The hotel itself was named after Harmon Blennerhassett, a prominent area lawyer, and his wife Margaret.

1 week ago | atlasobscura.com | Andrew Coletti

For over 120 years, a church in historic downtown Fayetteville, West Virginia, has connected its community. Though it’s no longer used for worship, the Cathedral Café keeps tradition alive today as a popular breakfast, lunch, and coffee spot. Colorful stained-glass windows and vintage pendant lighting preserve the original ambiance. On one wall, hundreds of books fill the shelves, and are available to browse or buy (children’s books are free).

2 weeks ago | atlasobscura.com | Andrew Coletti

AO Wants to Know is an ongoing interview series where we ask experts in extraordinary subjects to share their knowledge with us. I’ve always thought of stage magic as something that happens in person, but magician Siegfried Tieber showed me that it can even be performed over Zoom. During our video call, he folded a $1 bill in his hand and a $5 bill underneath his wallet, which sat on the table in front of him. If we were in person, Tieber explained, both bills would have been in my hands.