'''Sutton''' is a town of 1,011 people (as of 2000) in West Virginia. It's located in Braxton County, which is known as "the Geographic Center of West Virginia". Sutton was first settled in 1792, and incorporated in 1860, having been named in honor of one of the early settlers. The area is noteworthy for its Civil War heritage, as well as the Braxton County Monster (''aka'' the Phantom of Flatwoods), a green space alien with fiery red eyes and a pungent odor that reportedly frightened a group of local residents in September 1952 and remains one of the most famous creatures in UFO lore.
Get in
By car
Sutton is located on '''I-79''' and '''US-19''', south of Clarksburg and Weston, just north of the spot where I-79 splits west toward Charleston while US-19 heads south to Summersville.
By train
The '''Elk River Railroad''' runs between Gilmer and Hartland, stopping in Gassaway, Shadyside and Frametown on the way.
By plane
The nearest major airports are in Clarksburg and Charleston, but the '''Braxton County Airport''' (Airport Road, 304-765-9031) is also capable of handling light twin-engine aircraft on its 4,000-foot runway.
Get around
'''Gassaway Cabs''', 201 River Street in Gassaway, 304-364-5272.
'''Sutton Cabs''', 206 Main Street, 304-765-5004.
See
The '''downtown Sutton historic district''' is roughly bounded by Main Street, River View Drive and First Street. Walking tours are available.
Although the county as a whole lays claim to the title, the nearby town of Flatwoods is the precise '''geographical center of West Virginia'''.
'''Mountain Lakes Amphitheater''', 2000 Sutton Lane, 866-700-7284, [http://www.mountainlakesamphitheater.com/]. Live ''al fresco'' musical performances. 2008 Season: June 7/Rhonda Vincent...June 19/Bo Bice...July 10/Jake Owen...August 13/Bucky Covington...Every Friday Night/Homegrown Country Nights. For more information www.mountainlakesmusic.com
'''Landmark Studio for the Arts''', 4th Street and Main Street, 304-765-3766 or 304-765-3462, [http://landmarkstudio.org/]. Musicals, plays, dinner theatres, dramatic readings, presentations and exhibits. Home to the West Virginia Landmark Players and the Landmark Youth Theatre Project, located in a converted historic Victorian era church. $4 - $8, season subscriptions $65 - $155.
'''Elk Theatre''', downtown Sutton, 304-765-2519. One screen, showing current releases.
'''Bulltown Historic Area''', Millstone Run Road off WV-19 in Burnsville, 304-853-2371 or 304-452-8170, [http://www.wvcivilwar.com/bulltown.shtml]. Open 10 am to 6 pm daily, mid-May to mid-October. Civil War battlefield, featuring preserved trenches, structures dating to the mid-1800s, a mile-long self-guided trail, and a visitor's center with costumed interpreters and exhibits. The Battle of Bulltown is re-enacted each fall.
'''Sutton Lake''', Sutton Dam Road, 304-765-2816, [http://www.lrh.usace.army.mil/_kd/go.cfm?destination=Page&Pge_ID=1239]. 1,500-acre lake offering bass, muskie and pike fishing; swimming; boat launch ramps; and the 210-foot-high Sutton Dam, completed in 1961.
'''Burnsville Lake''', WV-5 east of Burnsville, 304-853-2371, [http://www.lrh.usace.army.mil/projects/lakes/bus/]. 968-acre lake offering fishing, swimming, guide services, boat launch ramps, full-service marina, small game hunting, and the Burnsville Dam. Camping available.
Do
'''Mid-Mountain Lanes''', exit 67 off I-79, 304-765-2811. Bowling alley with on-site restaurant.
'''Mountain Lakes Amphitheater''' hosts a summer full of the best entertainment in West Virginia. Visit us at www.mountainlakesmusic.com
Learn
The local newspaper is the '''Braxton Citizens' News''', 304-765-5193, [http://www.bcn-news.com/].
Buy
'''Flatwoods Factory Outlet Stores''', 250 Skidmore Lane, 304-765-3300, [http://www.flatwoodsfactorystores.com/]. Open 10 am to 9 pm Monday through Saturday, and 12 pm to 6 pm on Sunday, April through December; in winter, stores close at 6 pm Sunday through Thursday, and 9 pm Friday and Saturday. Save up to 70% on quality merchandise from over 20 stores, including Fenton Art Glass, clothing, gifts and the Flatwoods Farmers Market.
:* '''Poplar Forest''', 82 Skidmore Lane, 304-765-3995, [http://www.poplarforestwv.com/]. One of West Virginia's finest and most diverse cooperatives, representing over 200 juried artists and craftsmen of Central Appalachia: glass, quilts, pottery, furniture, books, West Virginia food and wine, baskets, bowls, hand forged ironware, dulcimers, mountain music, toys, dolls and more.
:* '''Lost Road Candles''', 252 Skidmore Lane, 304-765-4044 or 877-273-2888, [http://www.lostroadcandles.com/]. Embellished, heavily-scented candles in coffee, pie and fruit scents, flower and herb scents, and holiday or special occasion varieties.
:* '''Nanny's Primitives''', 89 Skidmore Lane, 304-765-3636, [http://www.nannysprimitives.com/]. Handmade primitive furniture, primitive candles, accents, decor, primitive tea-dyed quilts, wall hangings, stoneware, handmade rugs, lighting and more. You can also buy a statuette of the Braxton County Monster.
:* '''Everything Fiesta''', 52 Skidmore Lane, 304-765-5383, [http://www.everythingfiesta.com/]. 1st and 2nd quality Fiesta, decorated Fiesta items, and accessories such as Fiesta linens, glasses, flatware, and much more.
'''Sisters' Antique Mall''', 1954 Sutton Lane, 304-765-5533. Antiques and flea markets.
'''Bear Heaven''', exit 67 off I-79 (adjacent to the Sunoco), 304-765-7993, [http://www.bear-heaven.com/]. Open 8 am to 10 pm daily. West Virginia's largest Boyds Bear dealer with a distinguished Platinum Plus status; also offering gifts, souvenirs, novelties, scented candles and candle crumbs.
'''Summer Hollow Pottery''', WV-1 in Frametown, 304-364-5527, [http://www.shpottery.com/]. Unique handcrafted pottery including mugs, teapots, bowls, vases, pitchers, candlesticks, piggy banks, prayer boxes and more.
Eat
'''Cafe Cimino''', 400 4th Street, 304-765-2913 or 877-9-CIMINO (924-6466), [http://www.cafecimino.com/]. Open 5 to 10 pm Tuesday through Saturday; reservations recommended. Serving fine Italian cuisine and other European specialties. $10 - $32.
'''China Buffet''', 245 Skidmore Lane, 304-765-7468. All-you-can-eat buffet with appetizers, main courses and desserts, as well as an abundant menu.
'''Giovanni's Pizza''', in Burnsville, 304-853-2001. Italian cuisine, including pizza and spaghetti.
Drink
Sleep
'''Conrad Motel''', 100 Conrad Court in Glenville, 304-462-7316 or 866-462-7316. $42 - $52.
'''Elk Hostel''', 200 Main Street, 304-765-5960. 1 unit including 6 sleeping rooms, kitchen and commons room. $140.
'''Elk Motor Court''', 35 Camdon Avenue, 304-765-7173, [http://www.elkmotorcourt.com/]. 12 rooms, 3 campsites.
'''Laurel Court Motel''', 1321 Sutton Lane, 304-765-7301. Motel rooms and 14 chalets.
'''Motel 79''', 102 S Main Street in Burnsville, 304-853-2918. $35.
'''Sutton / Flatwoods Days Hotel''', 2000 Sutton Lane, 304-765-5055 or 866-700-7284, [http://www.flatwoods.com/]. 200 rooms. Indoor pool, outdoor pool, sauna, exercise room. On-site Visions Restaurant and gift shop featuring quality West Virginia merchandise. $60 - $140.
'''Sutton Lane Motel''', 2120 Sutton Lane, 304-765-7351. 30 rooms.
'''Flatwoods RV Park''', 2000 Sutton Lane, 866-700-7284, [http://www.flatwoodsrvpark.com/]. 50 lots. Electric, water and sewer service. Reservations are booked at the Days Inn. $30.
'''Microtel Inn and Suites''', 115 Reston Place, 304-364-6100, [http://www.microtelinn.com/reservations/locationdetail.asp?FacId=4227&404;http://hotels.microtelinn.com:80/4227]. Offer guests free local and long distance calls within the continental United States, and free high-speed wireless (wifi) Internet access in all of our hotel rooms.
Get out
'''Summersville''' is about 40 minutes south on US-19.
'''Weston''' is about 40 minutes north on I-79.
'''Clarksburg''' is about 1 hour north on I-79.
'''Charleston''' is about 1 hour southwest on I-79.