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The West Virginia Encyclopedia
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The West Virginia Encyclopedia
Ritchie County was carved out of portions of Wood, Lewis, and Harrison counties on February 18, 1843. The county is drained by two forks of the Hughes River and by numerous creeks, including 30-mile-long Goose Creek. There are many narrow but fertile valleys and gentle uplands suitable for livestock raising and the county’s generally small farms.
Harrisville
Harrisville is the county seat of Ritchie County. The town was named for Gen. Thomas M. Harris, who rose to prominence after the Civil War, when he served on the military commission that tried conspirators who acted with John Wilkes Booth in the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.
Ellenboro
Ellenboro was named for Ellen Mariah Williamson, the eldest daughter of the family that granted a right of way for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad to build their line through the town. The North Bend Rail Trail travels through Ellenboro.
Cairo
The town of Cairo (once known as Egypt, and also called the McKinney Settlement) was renamed Cairo when a Baltimore & Ohio Railroad station was located there in 1856. The North Bend Rail Trail travels through Cairo.
North Bend State Park
North Bend State Park has several campgrounds, cabins, and a hilltop lodge for overnight guests. The park also has tennis courts, miniature golf, picnic areas, a playground, and an outdoor theater.
North Fork of Hughes River
The headwaters of the North Fork of Hughes River is at the Ritchie-Tyler county line, near the community of Mountain.
South Fork of Hughes River
The South Fork of the Hughes River is 54 miles long. It rises in southwestern Doddridge County, near the community of Porto Rico, and flows through southern Ritchie County to join the North Fork.