Special Interests:
Nestled along the Ohio River you’ll find the peaceful town of Sistersville. The town was not always as quiet and laid back as it is today, though. In the late 1800s, oil was discovered in this small village, and the economic boom that followed built one of North America’s first oil refineries, grand hotels, an opera house and even a trolley line that connected Sistersville to neighboring communities. Today, the hustle and bustle is gone, but the town’s beautiful architecture remains as a reminder of Sistersville’s exciting history.
Attractions:
Talk about a morning commute! The Sistersville Ferry is one of the few remaining ferry boats still in operation on the Ohio River. From mid-spring to late fall, commuters regularly travel to and from Fly, Ohio, aboard the ferry, enjoying the peaceful calm of a river crossing. The fee per car is $4. Residents like to say, “Sistersville has the only ferry to Fly!”
Year-round, you can enjoy a walking tour of the town and explore the history and architecture that make Sistersville a small-town gem.
Signature Events:
Every March, the town honors its founding family, the Wells sisters, with SistersFest. This weekend event is open to all sisters from all walks of life who like to have fun, play games and celebrate the joys of sisterhood.
Alumni of Sistersville High School gather every Memorial Day weekend to reminisce about the days they spent and the friends they made at their alma mater. The reunion includes a parade, dinner and prayer/worship service.
The Oil and Gas Festival celebrates the town’s historic past. Art and crafts vendors, craft demonstrations, flea market, games and other events make City Park the place to be in mid-September.
Marble Fest celebrates the art of making marbles with a city-wide fair each September. Members of the marble-collecting community gather to trade, sell and show off their treasures. Marble makers demonstrate their craft. Marble Fest also features children’s games, antiques and food.
Industry:
Four words often used to describe Sistersville are safe, quiet, peaceful and hometown. These characteristics, along with a relative low cost of living, are drawing retirees to the community and also younger families seeking to raise their children in a small-town environment.
Major employers include Bayer Chemical, PPG, Momentive, Sistersville Hospital, Tyler County Board of Education, Ormet, Allegheny Power and Energy and Sistersville Tank Works.