'''Spencer''' [http://www.cityofspencer.com/] is a city of 2,352 people (as of 2000) in West Virginia. It was chartered in 1858 and named for Spencer Roane, a jurist from Virginia.
Get in
Spencer is located at the intersection of '''US-33''', between Ripley and Weston, and '''US-119''', north of Charleston.
Get around
See
'''Robey Theatre''', 318 Main Street, 304-927-1390. The longest continually-operating movie house in the US, opened in 1907 as a vaudeville house and showing movies since 1908. One screen. $5 general admission, $7 balcony.
'''Mount Zion Drive-In''', WV-16 in Mount Zion, 304-354-9405, [http://www.geocities.com/mtziondrivein/]. Open during warmer months; movies begin at dusk. Historic drive-in since 1949. Full concession stand serving pizza, fresh hand-pattied burgers, hot dogs, popcorn and frozen custard, with homemade pizza crust and hot dog sauce. Food $1 - $8, admission $6.
'''Heritage Park Museum''', 207 Court Street, 304-927-1640. Housed in an old Baltimore & Ohio Railroad depot, with late 19th and early 20th century tools, printing press, World War I memorabilia, restored 1920 school house, early 1900s oil derrick, and Baltimore & Ohio caboose.
'''Charles Fork Lake''', off WV-36, [http://www.charlesfork.org/]. Fishing, canoeing, and over 25 miles of hiking and biking trails. Hosts the Aquafina Tour de Lake Mountain Bike Race every May.
Do
Events
'''West Virginia Black Walnut Festival''', 116 Court Street, 304-927-5616, [http://www.wvblackwalnutfestival.org/]. Held during four days beginning on the second Thursday in October since 1954. The festival was begun when a local farmer sold two million pounds of black walnuts, inspiring the region to cultivate them as a cash crop. Grand parade, kid's parade, art and photography show, competitions, pageant, exhibits and flower show, live music, gospel sing, food booths, carnival.
Buy
'''Common Cents and Vanity Consignment''', 219 Main Street, [http://www.commoncentsconsignment.com/]. Open 10 am to 5 pm Monday through Saturday, and 12 pm to 3 pm most Sundays. One of the largest consignment stores in West Virginia, with over 5,000 square feet. Clothing, household items, antiques, furniture and wallpaper.
'''Hughes Jewelery Inc.''', 144 Main Street, 304-927-1620, [http://www.hughesjewelryinc.com/]. Rings, necklaces, earrings, bracelets and mens' jewelery, specializing in diamonds. Watch, clock and jewelery repair.
'''Seven Sisters Handcrafted Soaps''', 145 Summit Street, 304-927-6922.
Learn
The local newspaper is the '''Times Record''', 210 E Main Street, 304-927-2360, [http://www.thetimesrecord.net/].
Eat
'''Grandview Family Restaurant''', Ripley Road, 304-927-9838.
'''Main Street Cafe''', 217 Main Street, 304-927-5546.
Drink
'''Roane Vineyards''', Reedyville / Golf Course Road off US-14 near US-33, 304-927-3200, [http://www.roanevineyards.com/]. Hours by appointment; please call ahead. Begun when the owners discovered wild grapes growing on their farm in 1995, now cultivating eight varieties of mostly French-American Hybrid grapes. Fourteen wines available, including plum, raspberry, elderberry and melomel.
Sleep
Motels
'''Grandview Motel''', 1158 Ripley Road, 304-927-1840.
Bed and Breakfasts
'''Cunningham House''', 224 Chapman Avenue, 304-927-2022, [http://www.cunninghamhouseinn.com/]. 4 rooms. Historic home, built in 1900 and opened as a B&B in 1998. Fireplace, wraparound porch, dining room. $84 - $104.
'''Vintage House''', 435 W Main Street, 304-927-1883.
Get out
'''Ripley''' is about 40 minutes west on US-33.
'''Charleston''' is about 1 hour south on US-119 / I-79.
'''Weston''' is about 1.5 hours east on US-33.