Aurora, West Virginia

Aurora, West Virginia
Village
Red Horse Tavern
Location in Preston County and the state of West Virginia.
Coordinates: 39°19′27″N79°33′16″W / 39.32417°N 79.55444°W / 39.32417; -79.55444
Country	United States
State	West Virginia
County	Preston
Area [1]
• Total	2.109 sq mi (5.46 km2)
• Land	2.109 sq mi (5.46 km2)
• Water	0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation [2]	2,644 ft (806 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	200
• Density	95/sq mi (37/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
GNIS feature ID	1556729 [2]

Aurora is an unincorporated small rural village in southeastern Preston County, West Virginia, United States. Founded in 1787, Aurora is located on U.S. Route 50 between the Maryland state line and the town of Rowlesburg. Cathedral State Park is located to the east of Aurora's post office.

The exact population of Aurora is unknown, as this information has been subsumed by the United States Census Bureau into that for a census-designated place (CDP) which includes the village and is named for it, the Aurora CDP, West Virginia. However, as of the 2020 census, this CDP's population was 200 (slightly down from 201 at the 2010 census). ^{[3] [4]}

History

Aurora was originally a German settlement. The town was originally called Salem and later Mount Carmel. Its current name was suggested because of the town's high altitude. One of the original settlers to the area was John Stough, a Lutheran minister. The primary industries throughout the early and mid-19th century were farming and timber. In the late 1880s, the town became known as a resort area as the result of several large hotels which were built in the area. Some of these featured casinos, pools, and concert halls. In the 1930s an artist colony formed in the nearby Youghiogheny Forest area.

Located near Aurora are the Brookside Historic District, Gaymont and the Red Horse Tavern, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. ^{[5] [6]}

References

1. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Aurora, West Virginia
3. "Census Bureau profile: Aurora CDP, West Virginia". United States Census Bureau. May 2023. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
4. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved May 14, 2011.
5. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
6. "National Register of Historic Places Listings" (PDF). Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 5/06/13 through 5/10/13. National Park Service. May 17, 2013.