Hillsboro: Pearl Buck Birthplace, and Renick, WV

If you’re a fan of Pulitzer and Nobel-prize winning author Pearl S. Buck, you’ll want to stop for a minute (or much longer) at her birthplace in tiny Hillsboro, West Virginia.

There are two buildings to see here. The larger home is Buck’s birthplace, and now houses a museum.

The house next-door is Buck’s father’s house, which was built in Ronceverte, West Virginia in 1834. It was moved here and reconstructed in 1977.

Pearl Buck moved away from West Virginia when she was only 3 months old. Her parents were missionaries, and she grew up on the mission field in China. Peasant life in China was the topic of her Pulitzer prize-winning book, The Good Earth, and many of her other works. Buck went on to be awarded the Nobel prize in literature, the first American woman to receive the honor.

Renick, WV

Renick, West Virginia probably sounds familiar for some reason, but you can’t quite put your finger on it. Let me give you a hint: Rod Roddy.

Figured it out yet?

Renick, West Virginia is the home of a hot tub company, that was constantly giving away spas on The Price Is Right. Rod Roddy, the show’s announcer, probably mentioned Renick a thousand times in his career.

You will see a warehouse building owned by the hot tub company as you drive down US 219. Moments later, you’ll come upon this impressive view of the valley.

As the day went on, a haze set in over eastern West Virginia. There were wildfires across the border in Virginia, filling the air with smoke. It made scenes like this look hazy, but it helped provide a nice sunset later on, in Talcott, WV.

The final few miles into Lewisburg are curvy and slow.

Falls of Hills Creek Scenic Area

Lewisburg, West Virginia

Note: This trip was first published in 2008.

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