Greeks began arriving in West Virginia in the early 1900s, escaping the Turkish draft and seeking work in industries such as mining and manufacturing. Many worked in factories or coal mines in places like Harrison County. By 1920, West Virginia's Greek population had grown to more than 3,000.

They built tight-knit communities, opening businesses, often restaurants or coffeehouses, and establishing Orthodox churches and schools. They celebrated Greek holidays with parades and traditional dress. As immigration slowed after World War I, many Greeks moved to other towns and took on different jobs, but they continued to keep their cultural traditions alive.