Tornado, also called Upper Falls, is a census-designated place (CDP) in Kanawha County, Metro Valley, West Virginia. Its official name has switched between Tornado and Upper Falls several times since its discovery in 1742 and both names are in common use today.

Understand

The U.S. Census Bureau, with the approval of the Kanawha County Commission, renamed the CDP to Upper Falls for the 2010 census. The commission then decided in 2013 that the community favored Tornado's distinctive name over Upper Falls and requested that the U.S. Board on Geographic Names change the name back. The Census Bureau followed by replacing the 2010 Upper Falls CDP with the Tornado CDP in 2020.

History

During an exploratory expedition in 1742, John Peter Salling discovered the Upper Falls of Coal River, which gives the community its historical name. European settlers first arrived after the Revolutionary War, but many left after conflicts with natives.

Timber harvesting began in the region in the 1830s. A sawmill and later gristmill, established around 1850 by Joseph Thomas at the Upper Falls, operated until the 1930s. Locks and dams were constructed on Coal River in the 1850s to transport coal and timber, but commercial steamboat traffic ended in 1881 because of various interruptions caused by ongoing flooding and the Civil War. The Coal River and Western Railway, completed in 1904, is now operated by CSX Transportation to transport bituminous coal to global markets.

While timber extraction largely ended in the 1920s, the community grew rapidly during and after World War II to house workers for the weapons and chemical manufacturing industries. It is today a residential suburb of Charleston.

Get in

Coal River Road provides access from the city of Saint Albans to the north and from the community of Alum Creek to the south. Falls Creek Road enters from the community of Garretts Bend to the west. Smith Creek Road provides access from the city of South Charleston to the east.

Get around

With portage around the Upper Falls of Coal River, the adventurous can circumnavigate Upper Falls from watercraft on the Walhonde Water Trail.

See

• 1 Upper Falls of Coal River. Adjoin the community and give it its historical name from their cascading waters. (updated Aug 2024)

Do

• 1 Big Bend Golf Course, 151 Riverview Drive, ☏ +1 304 722-0400. A championship, 18 hole, par 71 golf course of 6,237 yards. Opened in 1965, the course was designed by Claude Evans to be easy enough for beginners and yet challenging for the pro. Trees line the fairways and water is in play on three holes. Larger greens are sloped enough to test putting skill. Big Bend is nestled within its namesake Big Bend of Coal River, which flows around the course and compliments its scenic beauty. Features include a pro shop and a snack bar that serves hot sandwiches and beverages. (updated Aug 2024)

• 2 Meadowood Park, 292 Pettigrew Lane. Features soccer fields, volleyball, picnic shelters, children's play structures, fishing and boating. The park is home to the Upper Falls Landing on the Walhonde Water Trail, a natural landing on Coal River that supports watercraft portage around Upper Falls Dam and Upper Falls Lock. Upper Falls Point provides a spectacular view of the Upper Falls. The Upper Falls Walking Trail is here, one of a series of autonomous trails that comprise the Walhonde Walking Trail system. Parking and restrooms are available. Admission is free. 

• 3 Mountaineer Radio Control Flying Club, 8004 Smith Creek Road. Maintains a flying field that is very busy on summer weekends. New fliers are always welcome. 

Go next

Walhonde Trail Byway is a planned scenic byway that will transverse Upper Falls.