The editors of Huntington Quarterly came up with 100 great things about our city. There are many more. Thousands even. Of course space would not permit us to print them all. And had we tried, we undoubtedly would have omitted something. The following are in no particular order.
HQ 11 | SPRING 1992
1. WPBV-TV Who said TV can’t be educational AND entertaining. From Sesame Street to the MacNeil-Lehrer News Hour and those wacky British comedies, this is bloody good viewing.
2. The Huntington Cubs After decades in hibernation, professional baseball is back in Huntington. And the fan support is something to growl about.
3. Habitat for Humanity A wonderful group of volunteers who put their hands and hearts to work for those in need of a home.
4. Harris Riverfront Park The link that has brought the city and the river together again. The venture has opened the floodgates of tourism.
5. The Streets City planners had the foresight to plan a street system that will serve Huntington well into the future.
6. Clint McElroy Radio’s morning mouth. He’s hip, he’s here, he’s hilarious.
7. The Arcade
8. East End Bridge What better way to span the mighty Ohio than with this stately structure. Can a· bridge be elegant? This one comes closer than any we’ve seen.
9. The Marshall Faithful Rowdy? Yep. Rambunctious? You bet. They bleed green from Georgia to Idaho and anywhere else the buffalo roam.
10. Nick’s News The perfect place to pick up a newspaper – almost any newspaper. Plus, it has books and the largest selection of magazines we know of in West Virginia.
11. Proximity Within a 500 mile radius of 60 percent of the nation’s population, here is close to almost anywhere.
12. Great Golfing Scenic fairways cut through the hills of Huntington and play host to golfers yearround. Some of the best include Guyan, Esquire, Sugarwood, Riviera, Lavalette …
13. Chamber of Commerce For years, this community entity has attracted new business and industry to Huntington.
14. The Civic CenterIts large auditorium and convention facilities help bring thousands of dollars into our city each year.
15. Traffic Light System A smoother flow with less stop and go.
16. Museum of Art Regarded as one of the finest small museums not only in the region, but in the nation. It’s the pride of Huntington.
17. YMCA With more than a century of tradition, Huntington’s Y gets a 10 from us. A recent visitor rated it the best in the nation.
18. The Seasons Huntingtonians enjoy four distinct seasons, including the best of each: winter’s whites, spring’s showers, summer’s sunsets and fall’s foliage.
19. Olympic Pool Thousands of swimmers find solace on sultry summer days.
20. Interstate 64 Huntington’s primary link to the rest of the country.
21. The City Mission This organization has offered hope to the area’s needy people for many years. Yet another example of how Huntington helps its own.
22. Cost of Living Many of the amenities of a larger city without the big-city cost of living.
23. Corps of Engineers It not only provides jobs, but facilitates transportation, recreation and ecological preservation.
24. Mining Life Exhibit A fascinating trip back in time to the days when mighty coal was king.
25. Wright’s Clothing A store tailored to everyone’s needs.
26. Health Care Five hospitals and a first-class medical school have made this region a health care mecca.
27. New StadiumMarshall University’s 30,000 seat field of dreams has finally become a reality.
28. Tailgating And with the new stadium comes pregame partying, Huntington style.
29. Football Fever The Herd returned to its winning ways and made an appearance in the 1991 NCAA I-AA Championship Game.
30. Heritage Village This tourist spot will transform you back in time to Huntington’s early years.
31. The Population Large enough to attract popular performers but small enough to avoid traffic jams after the show.
32. The Huntington Mall West Virginia’s largest mall features more than 150 stores.
33. Guyan Country Club
34. Cruise Avenue The youth of Huntington now have a street of their own thanks to a concerned mayor and an empty city lot.
35. New High School A new state-of-the-art consolidated high school will serve the city well into the 21st century.
36. Ming’s Restaurant For the finest in Polynesian/Chinese cuisine; Ming’s is the place to be.
37. The Radisson Hotel This classic hotel in the heart of Huntington is key to attracting conventions and tourism to the city.
38. Carriage Rides Horse-drawn carriage rides through beautiful Huntington await the romantic at heart.
39. Central City The new 14th Street West and the quaint antique shops that line it are a testament to the spirit of revitalization.
40. Rental Property An abundance of affordable apartments can be found uptown, downtown, and all around town.
41. The River Tower These luxurious office suites are Huntington’s answer to New York City’s Trump Tower.
42. Special Olympics For the past 5 years, Marshall University has proudly hosted the W.Va. Special Olympics Summer Games.
43. Chili Fest Some like it HOT!
44. The East Drive-in One of the few remaining drive-in theaters in the country, this relic still plays host to such classics as “Friday the 13th” and others.
45. First Night Huntington’s non-alcoholic family outing is a New Year’s Eve extravaganza.
46. School of Medicine MU’s medical school is the catalyst that has made Huntington the region’s leader in health care.
47. Victor’s Deli If you’re looking for soup and a sandwich, Victor’s can’t be beat.
48. A Safe Haven For more than a decade, Huntington has boasted one of the lowest crime rates in the nation, according to FBI statistics.
49. The United Way Spearheaded by the charismatic Ruth Cline, the River Cities United Way has raised millions of dollars to benefit more than 40 organizations.
50. Greyhound Building The. unique architectural features of this art decco facility are worth a second look.
51. City of Churches With more than 150 places of worship, Huntington is known as the city of churches.
52. The Ohio River Mother of transportation and recreation.
53. Banking The banking industry in West Virginia is booming, and Huntington’s best are equally solvent and sound.
54. The Peanut Shoppe This one-of-a-kind shop on Fourth Avenue is a reminder of the old downtown Huntington flavor.
55. CSX Building Yet another architectural treasure that transports us back to Huntington’s roots in the railroad industry.
56. MU Artists Series This highly regarded university program brings some of the world’s top talent to the Tri-State.
57. TTA Provides low-cost, efficient transportation to residents of the Tri-State.
58. MEGA Multicultural Enterprising Group Association. This ambitious organization is taking charge to make things happen in the Fairfield West section of town.
59. Marvelous Mexican Chili Willi’s, Chi Chi’s, Fiesta Bravo, Mi Mexico … Need we say more?
60. Ronald McDonald House With the help of the community, Huntington’s Ronald McDonald House provides a haven for the families of seriously ill children.
61. West Virginia Belle Watching this gigantic paddlewheeler plying the Ohio River, one can imagine Mark Twain among the many tourists.
62. Neighborhoods Huntington is home to some of the state’s finest neighborhoods. Among them are Stamford Park, Camelot Drive, Chancelor Hills, Timberlake and the South Side.
63. Summerfest The Ohio River comes to life with live ,performances, games, and nationally televised powerboat and jet ski races.
64.The Downtown For a unique experience, from plaza strolls sidewalk sales, Tri-Staters can do it all downtown.
65. The Floodwall It’s not the Great Wall of China, but it too was forged from a need to protect people.
66. MU Fine Arts Center Phase 1 of the university’s four-part, multi-million project is slated to open later this year. And it too is first-class.
67. Cultural Opportunities Community Players, The Huntington Pops, Music Arts Guild, Chamber Orchestra and more.
68. Area Glass Makers The Tri-State’s renowned glass blowers have sculpted work that is displayed in the White House, palaces and beyond.
69. Beech Fork Lake Enjoy the great outdoors with low speed boating, picnicking, hiking, camping, and swimming.
70. Heiner’s Bakery The smell of this family run business as you drive through the West End is delectably delightful. Um-mmm.
71. Brick Streets It may be a rough ride in places, but the old brick streets have stood the test of time and add to the aesthetics of the city.
72. The St. James Your own doorman awaits you at this big city high rise, but small-town rental rates make it distinctly Huntington.
73. The New Bridge A new four-lane structure is taking shape thanks to Sen. Robert C. Byrd.
74. Coalition For Homeless This compassionate group has given the area’s homeless a place to call home.
75. Ritter Park The area’s premier playground is good for more than a mere stroll. It undoubtedly is one of the nation’s finest city parks.
76. Nostalgic Pubs Great watering holes that also serve some super sandwiches include MacIntosh’s, Mycroft’s, Blumington’s and Yesterday’s.
77. Farmer’s Market Crisp cucumbers, succulent squash … fresh fruit and vegetables are available in season by the area’s farmers.
78. Marshall University Huntington’s largest employer and West Virginia’s fastest-growing institution of higher learning. WVU, look out!
79. The Keith-Albee How many other West Virginia cities can boast such a palatial theater? None.
80. Robby’s West Virginia’s largest nightclub. This hotspot is named for C-K’s premier professional pitcher: Don Robinson.
81. Monty’s Pizza Actor/comedian Billy Crystal said their square-cut pizza was simply “MMMarvelous” when he attended Marshall University in the late 1960s. Most Huntingtonians would tend to agree.
82. Accessibility No matter where you live, your next destination is only a short drive away.
83. The Greek Festival Authentic Greek food and pastries, native Greek dances, gifts and much more.
84. The Dogwoods Years ago the city purchased hundreds of dogwoods and sold them to residents for $1 each. Leftover trees were planted in Ritter Park and the results are still blooming.
85. The Court House Constructed in 1899, this architectural beauty highlights the Huntington skyline.
86. Autism Services Center Nationally known expert Dr. Ruth Sullivan and associates help the autistic and their families lead more fulfilling lives.
87. Hot-diggity dogs With Stewart’s, The Frost Top Drive-In, Smith’s Midway and Sam’s Hot Dogs, Huntington is a wiener wonderland.
88. Rose Garden We beg your pardon, but Huntington loves its Ritter Park Rose Garden.
89. Tri-State Airport Only 15 minutes from downtown Huntington, this transportation hub serves the Tri-State community with daily flights to major cities.
90. Jim’s Spaghetti A Huntington tradition for more than 52 years. Pass the Parmesan.
91. Recreation An abundance of indoor and outdoor activities provide residents with year round recreational choices.
92. Public Library System From the stately old library to a more modern facility today, the county’s public library has come a long way.
93. Fine Dining Rebels & Redcoats, Oliver’s and Rocco’s Ristorante are just some examples of the fine dining to be found in the Tri-State.
94. Boating on the Ohio
95. Camden Park A fun-filled amusement park with a history of serving the area’s young at heart.
96. Mansour’s Market An old-time corner grocery store … and it still delivers.
97. The Arch Huntington’s gateway to the west memorializes our war veterans.
98. City Hall Recent renovations have restored this building’s early elegance.
99. Climate Not too hot, not too cold, but just right.
100. The People Never too busy to wave or say hello. Huntingtonians know hospitality.
