About this location
Barboursville is a village in Cabell County, West Virginia, along the Guyandotte River near its confluence with the Mifflin Fork and Ohio Valley.[^1] The database lists ocher (a yellow-to-brown iron oxide pigment mineral) as a specimen here, and a mining-records index shows at least one mineral occurrence and two associated plants recorded near Barboursville, though the details of what was mined and where could not be confirmed.[^2] Ocher deposits are a documented part of the broader Appalachian iron-oxide pigment belt, historically mined for paint, cement, and other pigments across Virginia and West Virginia, but no source found ties a specific, visitable ocher locality to Barboursville itself.[^3] This is a thin, unconfirmed entry — treat it as a lead to research further rather than a place to head out to today.
Always seek permission where required, follow local laws, and practice Leave No Trace. Locations and details are community-submitted and may be inaccurate. Not sure what's legal here? Read our full guide to rockhounding laws by land type.
Found Here
- Ocher — UNVERIFIED at a specific site. Regional context: ocher and related iron-oxide pigments (sienna, umber) were historically mined across the Appalachian basin for use in paint, cement, and other products.[^3] No source confirms a specific accessible deposit at Barboursville.
Difficulty
Getting there
UNVERIFIED. Barboursville sits in Cabell County, West Virginia, along the Guyandotte River.[^1] No specific road, outcrop, or access point could be confirmed.
Collecting here
UNVERIFIED. General inference: ocher deposits regionally are found in weathered clay and shale exposures, collected by surface picking or light digging with hand tools. No site-specific method could be confirmed for Barboursville.
Know before you go
Land status at this location is UNVERIFIED — confirm ownership and permission before visiting. No official land-manager page, geological survey report, or mining record with enough detail to identify a specific accessible site was found for Barboursville. This appears to be private land in and around a developed West Virginia village unless proven otherwise.
Location on Map
Coordinates: 38.42172, -82.29875
Nearby rockhounding locations
- Lawrence County — FlintOH · 18.6 mi
- Tl-1. Abandoned Bolivar Clay Products Company, pit on the west side of the N&W railroad. On the west edge of Bolivar. — FossilOH · 25.4 mi
- Ashland — SideriteKY · 24.3 mi
- Berry Hills Country Club — Petrified WoodWV · 33.6 mi
- Rapp's Cave — FossilWV · 43 mi
- Charleston — Silicified WoodWV · 35.6 mi
More Ocher locations in West Virginia
Frequently asked questions
Is there an ocher deposit at Barboursville, West Virginia?
A mining-records index lists at least one mineral occurrence near Barboursville, but the specifics (location, accessibility, current status) could not be confirmed from available sources.
Can you rockhound in Barboursville, West Virginia?
Land status is unverified. Barboursville is a developed village in Cabell County — assume any collecting location nearby is on private land unless you confirm otherwise.
What is ocher used for?
Ocher is a natural iron-oxide pigment historically used in paint, cement, cosmetics, and other products, and was mined at small scale across the Appalachian region.
⚠️ Always verify current regulations, weather conditions, and access requirements before visiting any location. Information provided is based on community submissions and may not be current or accurate.
Sources
- Wikipedia, "Barboursville, West Virginia" — confirms Cabell County location along the Guyandotte River.
- thediggings.com mining-records index entry for Barboursville, WV, referenced via search snippet ("1 occurrence and 2 plants") — direct fetch returned HTTP 403, so this claim is unverified beyond the snippet and should be treated cautiously.
- Virginia Energy, "Geology and Mineral Resources — Iron Oxide Pigments" — https://energy.virginia.gov/geology/FeOxide.shtml — regional context on Appalachian ocher/iron-oxide pigment mining; covers Virginia specifically, applied here as general regional inference only, not a Barboursville-specific source.
Recommended Gear for West Virginia
Estwing E3-22P Rock Pick
The industry-standard 22oz geological hammer. One-piece forged steel with shock-reduction grip.
Clear Anti-Fog Safety Glasses (4 Pack)
Adjustable, anti-fog lenses for clear vision in any conditions. About $5 per pair.
Watertight Medical Kit
Compact, waterproof first aid kit with bandages, moleskin, and field essentials.
Southeast Treasure Hunter's Gem & Mineral Guide
Whether you're digging for the first time or are an experienced rockhound or "prospector," with a simple rock hammer and...
Clicking these links supports rockhounding.org at no extra cost to you — it's how we keep these maps and resources free for everyone.
Comments
Comments
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Logbook Records
No public logs yet
Be the first to share your experience at this location!