Pawpaws in Paw Paw, WV: The Fruit Behind Our Town’s Name
Long before railroads, canals, or apple orchards shaped the Potomac Valley, the forests surrounding present‑day Paw Paw were filled with a native fruit unlike anything else in North America: the pawpaw. Soft, sweet, and custard‑like, this wild Appalachian fruit is the reason our town carries the name Paw Paw, West Virginia.
Today, the pawpaw remains a symbol of our landscape, our heritage, and the deep connection between the people of this valley and the natural world around them.
What Exactly Is a Pawpaw?
The pawpaw (Asimina triloba) is the largest native fruit in North America, growing naturally in the shady river valleys and wooded hillsides that define our region.
Its flavor is often described as a blend of:
- Banana
- Mango
- Vanilla custard
The fruit ripens in late summer and early fall, hanging in clusters that look almost tropical — a surprising sight in the Appalachian mountains.
A Fruit With Deep Roots in American History
The pawpaw has been part of this region’s story for centuries.
- Indigenous peoples used the fruit as a seasonal staple and crafted the inner bark into rope and fishing nets.
- Early settlers quickly adopted it as a reliable wild food source.
- George Washington reportedly enjoyed chilled pawpaws as a favorite dessert.
- Thomas Jefferson grew them at Monticello and sent seeds abroad.
The fruit’s long history in the Potomac Valley made it a natural landmark for early travelers — and eventually, a namesake.
How Paw Paw Got Its Name
When early settlers and canal workers traveled through this area, they found abundant pawpaw groves along the riverbanks. The fruit was so common that the region became known for it, and when a community formed here, the name “Paw Paw” simply fit.
Even today, pawpaw patches can still be found along the C&O Canal towpath and in the wooded hills surrounding town — a living reminder of the landscape that shaped our identity.
What Do Pawpaws Taste Like?
Locals describe the flavor as:
- “Banana pudding on a tree”
- “A tropical surprise in the mountains”
- “Custard fruit with Appalachian charm”
The texture is soft and creamy, making it perfect for breads, puddings, smoothies, and ice cream.
Because pawpaws don’t ship well, most people outside the region have never tasted one — which makes them even more special to those who grew up with them.
Where Pawpaws Grow Around Paw Paw
You’ll find wild pawpaw trees in:
- Shady riverbanks
- Forest edges
- Low, moist valleys
- Along the C&O Canal
- Patches near the Potomac River
The famous Paw Paw Bends — a dramatic series of sweeping curves in the Potomac River — create the rich, shaded valleys where pawpaw trees naturally thrive. These bends shape the land, the soil, and the moisture patterns that make this region ideal for the fruit that gave our town its name.
A Small Note About the Paw Paw Festival
While this article focuses on the fruit itself, it’s worth mentioning that our community celebrates its namesake every year at the Pawpaw Festival WV — a local tradition filled with food, music, vendors, and plenty of pawpaw‑themed fun. You can learn more about the event here: Pawpaw Festival WV
Why the Pawpaw Still Matters
The pawpaw isn’t just a fruit — it’s a symbol of:
- Our natural environment
- Our Appalachian heritage
- Our connection to the Potomac
- The story of how our town began
It’s a reminder that Paw Paw, WV is rooted in the land itself — shaped by the river, the mountains, and the wild fruit that once grew here in abundance.