Busteed

Busteed is an unincorporated community located in the western part of Fayette County, West Virginia, United States. The settlement lies near the junction of County Route 612 and County Route 665, approximately 10 mi northeast of the county seat, Clifton. It sits at an elevation of 1,260 ft (384 m) above sea level and is situated within the Appalachian Plateau region. The ZIP Code for Busteed is 25901, shared with the nearby town of Bramwell.

The community was founded in the late 19th century when the railroad extended through the region. It was named after early settler John Busteed, a civil engineer who played a key role in surveying routes for the Virginian Railway. A small cluster of homes, a general store, and a post office—established in 1897—served the area until the post office closed in 1974. The population has remained modest; according to the 2020 census data, the surrounding ZIP Code area contains about 320 residents.

Busteed’s economy historically centered on timber extraction and coal mining. The surrounding forested hills were logged for spruce and pine, while nearby coal seams were mined by regional companies until the late 20th century. Today the economy is primarily residential, with many residents commuting to work in neighboring towns.

The community is served by the Fayette County School District; children attend West Virginia High School in Lincoln, the nearest secondary school. Local cultural life is centered on the Busteed Community Church, which hosts an annual harvest festival each October. The festival includes a parade, farmers market, and traditional Appalachian music performances.

Notable individuals associated with Busteed include Leo H. Busteed, a state legislator who represented Fayette County from 1945 to 1951, and Margaret Busteed, a local historian whose collection of photographs documents the community’s transition from a mining hub to a quiet residential area.

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