Along the twisting curves of West Virginia Route 3, just three miles northeast of Madison, Foster, WV embodies the quiet resilience of Boone County’s unincorporated communities. With a population of 1,211 and a land area of 15.43 square miles, this tight-knit enclave thrives amid Appalachia’s rugged beauty. Here’s its untold story.
Frontier Foundations & The Boone Legacy (1742–1870)
The land that became Foster witnessed pivotal moments long before its settlement:
- 1742: Explorer John Peter Salley discovered coal near present-day Peytona—a resource that would fuel Boone County’s economy for centuries.
- 1847: Boone County was carved from Kanawha, Cabell, and Logan counties. Its name honored Daniel Boone, who rescued young Chloe Flinn from Shawnee captors in 1786. Her son, legislator St. Clair Ballard, later championed the tribute.
- 1850s: Early settlers utilized the Kanawha River for timber transport, laying groundwork for Foster’s future as a transportation hub.
Railroad Revolution (1873–1930)
The Chesapeake & Ohio Railway’s arrival in 1873 transformed Foster into a vital maintenance stop . Demographic shifts followed:
- 1880: Boone County’s population surged to 12,139, with Foster emerging as a center for railway workers and their families.
- Early 1900s: Immigrant labor diversified the community, while the railroad depot anchored social life. The devastating 1912 flood tested residents’ resilience as they rebuilt using local timber.
20th Century Transitions (1930–2000)
Economic tides reshaped Foster’s identity:
- 1930s: The Great Depression slashed railroad jobs, forcing diversification into small-scale agriculture and logging.
- 1950–2000: Population stabilized near 400–500 residents. Families increasingly relied on community pillars like Foster Baptist Church (founded 1921) and volunteer fire services.
- Infrastructure shifts: Route 3 replaced rails as Foster’s lifeline, connecting it to Madison’s county services and courthouse—a limestone landmark completed in 1921.
Foster Today: Resilience in Data (2025)
Modern Foster balances heritage with pragmatic adaptation:
- Demographics: 98.8% White, with a median household income of $93,868—well above Boone County’s average. Over 50% of adults lack college degrees, reflecting traditional industries’ dominance.
- Economic anchors: Foster Supply Inc. (est. 1978) evolved from a local supplier to a regional construction materials leader. Its 2018 leadership transition to Ronald A. Foster and Geoffrey B. Foster underscores enduring family enterprise values.
- Challenges: Boone County’s population declined 11.4% (2010–2020), yet Foster’s density (80.7 persons/sq mi) exceeds the county’s average (43.5)—a testament to its cohesion.
Why Foster Matters
Foster’s legacy lies in its quiet continuity. Unlike vanished coal towns, it persists through reinvention: river landing, railroad stop, and modern crossroads. As local historian Dolores Jackson Foster observed of Appalachian communities: “We were taught that the name meant something and we were not to do anything to bring shame on the name” In Foster, that name signifies endurance.
Bibliography
“Boone County, West Virginia.” Wikipedia. Accessed June 2, 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boone_County,_West_Virginia.
“Foster, West Virginia.” Wikipedia. Accessed June 2, 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foster,_West_Virginia.
“History of Boone County.” Boone County WV. Accessed June 2, 2025. https://boonecountywv.org/history.php.
“The ZIP Code, Map and Demographics of Foster, WV.” ZIP-Codes.com. Accessed June 2, 2025. https://www.zip-codes.com/city/wv-foster.asp.
“Boone County, West Virginia Index.” Genealogy Trails. Accessed June 2, 2025. http://www.genealogytrails.com/wva/boone/index.html.
As always, thank you for riding with me!
Visibility: Cloudy
*GPS Coordinate Data Provided on bottom left corner with date and speed*
Destinations in West Virginia by appearance:
Alum Creek
Julian
Danville
Joe King Memorial Highway – Danville (17:30)
Foster
Southridge (1:00:00)
Charleston
US119/Coridor G – South Hills – Charleston (1:04:00)
I64E/I77S – East End – Charleston (1:10:00)
Malden
Rand
Belle
Dupont City – Former Dupont Chemical Plant (1:20:00)
West Belle
East Dupont Avenue (Old US60) – West Belle (1:30:00)
I64/US119 – Oakwood Road Interchange – Charleston (1:45:00)
Southridge (2:00:00)
US119/Corridor G – Alum Creek (2:15:00)
Sod
Yeager Highway/Midway Road – Cobbs Creek (2:30:00)
Sumerco
US119/Corridor G – South Charleston (2:45:00)
Ending: Thomas Hospital Rear Entrance – South Charleston
Listen while you ride: My Spotify Playlists
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5FI2WfzKqFIz5dD0BOA1iw?si=4f12084e12b247ec – Mix
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5IWoDtlir7k6eww0PNVdGh?si=dca253ebf4e94ac1 – Chill
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4TNiUuJHvogwtk7ZxWoOpl?si=d4594c2bf5ff4328 – Upbeat
