Located in Morgan County, WV and incorporated in 1891. The town is named for the Paw Paw fruit that grew abundantly in the area at the time. The near-by Paw Paw Tunnel, was named for the town and is a major attraction for travelers along the C&O canal that runs from Cumberland, MD to Washington, DC.; which was built to by-pass the 6 mile stretch of the Potomac known as the Paw Paw Bends. It opened for canal traffic in 1850, and continued operating until 1923.

Today it a historic park for hikers, bikers, and in some sections horse riders can enjoy.