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Hancock County
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1763
The Treaty of Paris ended French & Indian War Other events that happened on or around 1763 Batts and Fallam exploration used in French & Indian War treaty negotiations to lay claim for England to the Ohio Valley Robert Clendenin was injured in a battle with the Shawnee The French gave up all territories in the Ohio Valley at the end of the French & Indian War Pontiac's Rebellion followed French & Indian War Cornstalk raided Greenbrier settlements during Pontiac's War The French withdrew from North America leaving Ohio a boundary between white and Indian territory John Semple constructed West Virginia's first blast furnace Kyashuta directed war efforts against settlers in Pontiac's Rebellion Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon arrived in America from England The Senecas fought in Pontiac's Rebellion New settlements in Summers County were destroyed during Pontiac's Rebellion Treaty of Paris ended French and Indian War
1771
Harmon Greathouse arrived in present Hancock County Other events that happened on or around 1771 Francis Asbury volunteered to come to America Margaret Agnew Blennerhassett was born in England John Yeager, George Strader and Simon Kenton camped near mouth of Elk River in what would become the city of Charleston Charles Clendenin settled in the Greenbrier Valley George Clendenin's family settled in the Greenbrier Valley Jesse Hughes married Grace Tanner William Crawford made a survey for Washington in the Jackson County area Simon Kenton began hunting and trapping in the Kanawha Valley St. George's Chapel was constructed in Jefferson County Joseph, Samuel, and James Tomlinson established the first settlement at what is now Moundsville
1776
John Holliday began operating a trading post at Hollidays Cove Other events that happened on or around 1776 Ohio County was organized at a meeting of the landholders Kentucky was created as a county of Virginia An Apology for Christianity was published in response to Edward Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Virginia's original constitution went into effect, favoring east over west William Crawford commissioned colonel Lord Dunmore returned to England Virginia abolished quitrents and excepted Fairfax's proprietary Fort Randolph was constructed at Point Pleasant under Capt. Matthew Arbuckle Daniel Greathouse died of measles Early explorer Stephen Sewell was killed by Indians at his cabin Mad Anthony Wayne joined the continental army The Continental Congress was petitioned to form a new state called Westsylvania An new effort to form a colony like Vandalia began Fort Henry was renamed for Governor Patrick Henry
1797
The General Assembly created Brooke County from northern Ohio County Other events that happened on or around 1797 Jesse Bennet, wife, and daughter moved to Mason County Buffington purchased the island, now Buffington Island Elisha Brooks built the first salt furnace in the Charleston area Book issued in Shepherdstown by P. Rootes and C. Blagrove William Clendenin moved his family to Mason County George Clendenin died in Marietta, Ohio Salt furnaces in Kanawha County began Jesse Bennet and family moved to Point Pleasant Patrick Gass family located in Brooke County William Parson and Samuel Tanner settled in the Jackson County area John J. Allen was born Elisha Brooks built his salt furnace on land from Joseph Ruffner Simon Kenton lost his wife in a fire The Impartial Observer was founded in Shepherdstown Pleasants County saw its first permanent settlers. Anne Newport married William Royall Lewis Ruffner was born Walter Newman built a tavern at Point Pleasant The William Little family settled Littleton Wheeling became the county seat of Ohio County Oceana was established
Jan 15, 1848
Hancock County was created from Brooke County
1849
City of New Cumberland received its charter from Virginia Other events that happened on or around 1849 Alfred Beckley was appointed a militia general The Buffalo Academy was founded Alexander Campbell elected president of the American Christian Missionary Society Baltimore investors built Mountain House at Capon Springs First national convention of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) denomination General Assembly authorized development of plans for improvements to make Coal River more navigable John Gallaher was named auditor for the U.S. Treasury by President Zachary Taylor Guyandotte was officially incorporated Frank Hereford moved to California where he practiced law John Jay Jackson Jr. served as prosecuting attorney of Ritchie County Cummins Jackson died in California John Jacob obtained a B.A. from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania The first Jewish community established a religious congregation in Wheeling William C. Kelly was born Construction on the B&O line Kingwood Tunnel began George Latham moved to Taylor County The Guyandotte Navigation Company was incorporated by the state of Virginia The National Hotel was built in Martinsburg Randolph McCoy married his cousin Sarah McCoy Alexander Creel bought back land he had previously sold and established the city of St. Marys Samuel Price was reelected to the House of Delegates. William Miller died Lydia Shepherd denied that Betty Zane made the famous gunpowder run to save Fort Henry, claiming it was Molly Scott Patrick Donahue was born The Wheeling tannery was founded by John G. Hoffman Work began on the Weston & Gauley Bridge Turnpike Wheeling had free public schools Winfield was laid out A brick courthouse was completed at Winfield
1850
Census reported three slaves in Hancock County Other events that happened on or around 1850 1,500 slaves owned by salt barons or rented from owners worked in the Kanawha County salt works Lemuel Chenoweth had finished many bridges on Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike Wills De Hass transferred the Grave Creek tablet and skull to the Smithsonian Martin Delany finished medical school at Harvard Medical College Fugitive Slave Act was passed Western Virginia had 1,300 primary schools Map showed Davidson's Ferry near mouth of Elk River and Goshorn's Ferry crossing the Kanawha River The first courthouse was completed in Glenville The First Baptist Church was organized in Greenville Nancy Hart and family were living in Boone County The Virginia Constitutional Convention made changes that addressed the political sources of western discontent Alexander Campbell supported the Fugitive Slave Law but felt runaway slaves should be provided food, shelter and clothing The Paw Paw Tunnel opened on the C&O Canal Reported number of slaves in Jefferson County was 3,960, 27% of the population Mother Jones and family arrived in Boston The new edition of A History of the Valley of Virginia was published Malden had several hotels, a bank and saloons Trustees offered Marshall Univ. to the Western Virginia Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South A reported 21 weeklies and 3 dailies were published in English or German in West Virginia The C&O Canal was built to Cumberland There were 200 residents at Federal Hill Henry Ruffner stopped participating in the emancipation movement in Louisville The last bridges were made on the Staunton Turnpike George Summers was a member of the Constitutional Convention A large seam of bituminous coal was found on Paint Creek Parts of Fayette County were taken to create Raleigh County The Beall-Air Mansion was built by Lewis William Washington Wheeling had a hospital Waitman Willey was a delegate to the VirginiaConstitutional Convention West Virginia had 20,527 slaves
1860
Hancock County reported only 2 slaves in population of 4,445 Other events that happened on or around 1860 Psi Chapter of Beta Theta Pi was established Archibald Campbell's paper The Intelligencer only paper in Virginia to endorse Abraham Lincoln's presidency Archibald Campbell's paper The Intelligencer was the only paper in Virginia to endorse Abraham Lincoln's presidency 25 independent coal companies were organized Bethany College was the only institution of higher education in Western Virginia Allegheny College opened in Blue Sulphur Springs Stephen Elkins graduated from University of Missouri Daniel Farnsworth was elected to abortive term in House of Delegates of General Assembly Fayette County population at 5,997 Another German newspaper was established in Wheeling John Hale became the owner of a large salt works First railroad in Hancock County received its charter Nancy Hart and family moved to Roane County Morris Harvey left his service as Fayette County sheriff The Ices Ferry Ironworks closed due to lack of adequate transportation and the depletion of iron ore and fuel resources Reported 28 charcoal iron furnaces had been constructed in West Virginia Reported four Wheeling ironworks produced cut nails John Jacob left the University of Missouri to study and practice law Four short stone piers were placed under Jefferson Rock to stabilize it Joseph Johnson served as a member of the electoral college George Latham opened his practice in Grafton McDowell County had a population of 1,533 The Monongalia Academy, Morgantown Female Academy and Woodburn Female Seminary educated white students Summersville was incorporated The Rathbone Well, West Virginia's first major oil well, was drilled. Reported 174 baptisms at St. John's Chapel, Monroe County Rezin Davis Shepherd built a building for Shepherdstown's use Traveller took top prizes at the Lewisburg fair Census counted 1,428 residents in Tucker County Virginia chartered six new western turnpikes Webster County population was 1,555 The first permanent settler of Webster Springs was Polly Arthur Wheeling had 14,083 people Samuel D. Karnes leased an acre from the Rathbones
1861
Hancock County voters rejected the Virginia secession ordinance Other events that happened on or around 1861 Convention changed the name to West Virginia and added five counties Two large rooms on the second floor of the Atheneum Prison were rented by the government for use as winter quarters for secessionist prisoners held at Camp Carlile on Wheeling Island There were six Baptists associations in West Virginia with almost 7,000 members Jacob Blair was an ardent Unionist when the Civil War broke out Navigational improvements made to the Coal River in the late 1850s were largely lost in the great flood Some of first troop movements of the Civil War originated at Camp Carlile Presidency Lincoln appointed Archibald Campbell postmaster of the Wheeling Post Office Ceredo became Union stronghold At the start of Civil War, Confederate attempts to secure the Kanawha Valley failed Nearly all parts of the present state were fully occupied by the filling out of the county settlement pattern Martin Delany published Blake: or, The Huts of America Bethany's Delta Tau Delta founding members graduated or left for service William Dickinson Jr. came to Kanawha John Echols was commissioned lieutenant colonel in the Confederate Army Daniel Farnsworth served in Second Wheeling Convention to create the Reorganized Government of Virginia Charles Faulkner delivered his last report to Secretary of State William Seward Granville Davisson Hall returned to record the proceedings of the Wheeling Convention Harpers Ferry Armory and Arsenal was destroyed Nancy Hart was captured as a rebel spy in Braxton County Devil Anse Hatfield married Levicy Chafin John Imboden commanded a light battery at the initial capture of Harpers Ferry William Thomas Bland was born John Jay Jackson Jr. took a strong stand for the Union in the decision over secession Mudwall Jackson engaged the Wood County militia colonel in a fist-fight at Parkersburg's Jail House Riots Stonewall Jackson sided with Virginia in secession Job's temple was constructed The Civil War came to Keyser with the building of Fort Fuller George Latham's Company B. 2nd Virginia Infantry was ordered to stay in Grafton to vote against Virginia's Ordinance of Secession before leaving for battle Joseph Lightburn went to Wheeling A flood destroyed the locks and dams on the Guyandotte River Daniel Lucas served Confederate Gen. Henry A Wise in the Kanawha Valley campaign John McCausland organized and took command of the 36th Virginia when Virginia seceded A group of Moccasin Rangers captured Ripley and looted the town The Union Academy was closed Allen Taylor Caperton first served as senator to the Confederate States of America Anna Jarvis' home was headquarters for Union Gen. George B. McClellan The first refinery was built in Parkersburg Camp Carlisle became a major army recruiting and training center Pocahontas County suddenly became part of the front line of the Civil War Z. D. Ramsdell became captain of the 5th Virginia Regiment. Randolph County voted in favor of secession when Virginia left the Union Johnson Newlon Camden and John Jay Jackson Sr. brought in "The Eternal Center" well Jesse Reno was called east to command a brigade. William Starke Rosecrans drove Confederate forces from West Virginia William Stevenson represented Wood County at the first constitutional convention Peter Van Winkle served in the Second Wheeling Convention Peter Van Winkle was a member of the Governor's Council of the Reorganized Government of Virginia Peter Van Winkle represented Wood County in West Virginia's Constitutional Convention James O. Watson served as a delegate to the Second Wheeling Convention The constitutional convention for West Virginia met at the Wheeling Custom House. Voters west of the Allegheny Mountains rejected Virginia's secession from the U.S. Alexander Withers moved to Parkersburg Federal forces were stationed in Wood County
1862
A Natural gas well was first drilled in Hancock County Other events that happened on or around 1862 Jacob Blair and his two congressional colleagues met at the White House to discuss West Virginia admission into the Union with President Lincoln President Lincoln decided in favor of statehood George Imboden rose to the rank of colonel and took command of the of the 18th Virginia Calvary The first school for black children, Sumner School, opened in Parkersburg. Confederate General Stonewall Jackson based his forces in Berkeley Springs during his attack on Hancock, Maryland Congress enacted the Morrill Act Belle Boyd carried news of Union plans to Stonewall Jackson during the Shenandoah Valley campaign John Carlile turned against statehood, which he had favored John Echols served in the Kanawha Valley John Hale served as a surgeon in the Civil War Nancy Hart was captured a second time as a rebel spy in Summersville Collis P. Huntington persuaded Congress to designate the Central Pacific as the western half of the transcontinental railroad Stonewall Jackson led a successful campaign in the Shenandoah Valley Albert Jenkins was elected to the First Confederate Congress Jacob Cox and men were driven out of the Kanawha Valley by Confederate advance led by Brig. Gen William W. Loring U.S. troops were maneuvering from Western Virginia toward Tennessee Joseph Lightburn was ordered to Charleston City of Logan was occupied and burned by Union forces under Col. Edward Siber Company 1, 12th Regiment, West Virginia Volunteer Infantry was organized in New Cumberland The Point Pleasant Register was founded as a weekly John Nugent was born in Wales Federal troops occupied Raleigh County. The Confederate Thurmond's Parisan Rangers raided in Fayette, Greenbrier and Monroe counties Peter Van Winkle represented Wood County in Constitutional Convention The Reorganized Government of Virginia added $40,000 for Weston State Hospital
1864
Natural gas was used to produce carbon black for printing ink Other events that happened on or around 1864 Maj. Gen. Philip H. Sheridan removed Averell from command for performance during Shenandoah Valley Campaign Old Virginia banks transformed into national banks under federal banking legislation First National Bank of Parkersburg became first national bank in West Virginia Union troops burned down the resort buildings at Blue Sulphur Springs Arthur Boreman married Laurane Tanner Bullock Alexander Boteler's house burned on orders of Union Gen. David Hunter Belle Boyd married Samuel Wylde Hardinge Jr. Nathan Brackett graduated from Dartmouth College Battle of Summit Point Battle of Charles Town John Dickinson was captured and kept prisoner at Fort Delaware Joseph Diss Debar began serving in the legislature from Doddridge County Joseph Diss Debar was named the first West Virginia commissioner of immigration Construction of the Easton Roller Mill began Allegheny College was burned by Union troops William Ryland White was named first state superintendent of free schools Stephen Elkins was admitted to the Missouri bar Fort Moore was built for Capt. W. T. Wiant's home guards John Imboden contracted typhoid fever and was relieved of command Jacob Jackson returned to Parkersburg Mudwall Jackson was promoted to brigadier general to command the forces at the Battle of Droop Mountain The Logan Wildcats were active in the Shenandoah Valley campaign The Richardson's map was the first map of the new state of West Virginia The Morgantown Weekly Post was established by Henry M. Morgan and Nimrod Nelson Hoffman Governor Boreman ordered convicted felons in West Virginia be imprisoned in the Ohio County Jail Bazel Childers developed a system for fracturing the oil bearing rock to increase production. Henry Ragland was captured by Union troops near Lurray, Virginia. The first newspaper in Ripley, the Jackson Democrat was established Volcano became an oil boom town The Volcanic Oil & Gas Company was formed Kellian Whaley was a delegate to the Republican National Convention Laura Jackson Arnold wrote to Abraham Lincoln strongly expressing her support of the Union
1902
The Homer Laughlin China Company purchased the Newell Farm and expanded across the Ohio into West Virginia Other events that happened on or around 1902 Harrison Ash became chief of police at Thurmond Baldwin-Felts Agency helped break a strike in the New River Field Rosa Pelham was forced out of the castle by debt Sam Black Church is built Mother Blizzard's family was evicted from their home because of her support of the coal strike Aaron Bloch succeeded his brother, Samuel, as president of Bloch Brothers Tobacco Stephen B. Elkins purchased the Morgantown & Kingwood Railroad James Callahan was appointed chairman of the Department of History and Political Science at WVU Andrew Carnegie donated $33,000 to Lewisburg Female Institute to build Carnegie Hall Cecil B. Highland became a stockholder of Clarksburg Exponent Telegram The Coal & Coke Railway Company sold the Central & Pittsburgh Watson-Fleming-Camden syndicate acquired the Somerset Coal Company Voters amended the constitution making Secretary of State an elected office The Mahan family quit farming the land Edward Franzheim was probably the most successful architect in West Virginia The Greenbrier Military Academy was bought by the Greenbrier Presbytery and renamed the Greenbrier Presbyterial School Nancy Hart died The state called troops to mining strikes The state called troops to areas with striking miners The Hazel Atlas Glass Company was created The UMWA organized about 7,000 miners in the Kanawha Valley James H. Nash bought Holly Grove Mansion and made changes Albert F. Holden and William H. Coolidge inspected 30,000 acres of land on Coppers Fork of Island Creek Elmer Jacobs designed the parts of Seneca Glass Company building that had fallen to fire A History of the Valley of Virginia was reprinted The C&O Railroad was built along the Guyandotte River Patients other than coal miners were charged $1.59/ day at McKendree Hospital The West Virginia University School of Medicine was founded in Morgantown Samuel Alexander McCoy and G. W McCauley bought the Hardy County News from Capt. J. J. Chipley Matthew M. Neely opened a Fairmont law office John Nugent came to West Virginia as a UMWA organizer Oak Hill's first high school was established by Charles T. Jones and Albert G. Sevy George Rashid migrated to the United States from Syria The Pinch Reunion was established by Judge William W. Wertz The Greenbrier Division of the C&O was completed to Durbin Potomac State College began operation as the West Virginia Preparatory School The Rending of Virginia was originally published in Chicago by Mayer & Miller Frederick Rhead came to America Charles Ritter married Mabel McClinock Benjamin Rosenbloom played on the WVU football team St. Lawrence Boom & Manufacturing Company at Ronceverte began to receive logs from Anthony's Creek by rail Shannondale Springs was sold to H.C. Getzendanner The New River Coal strike occurred The Capitol City Lodge incorporated the Pythian Mutual Investment Fund A constitutional amendment increased the Supreme Court of Appeals justices to five The Interurban streetcar line reached Vienna Vienna opened West Virginia's first country club Ward Engineering Works built the James Rumsey for the U.S. Engineering Corp H. Rus Warne and Charles G. Rabenstein established an architect firm Fairmont Coal Company operated 28 mines and employed 6,067 The community of Addison receives the postal name of Webster Springs A narrow-gauge railroad arrived at Webster Springs Davis sold the West Virginia Central & Pittsburg(h) Railroad to the Gould interests The Medical Society of West Virginia name changed to West Virginia State Medical Association
1907
City of Chester was incorporated Other events that happened on or around 1907 Babcock Lumber & Boom Company bought Thompson Lumber Company Walter Barnes began teaching English at Greenville State Normal School (Greenville State College) Fairmont, Clarksburg, and Piedmont played baseball in the Class D Western Pennsylvania League The great Winding Gulf coalfield opened Elkins Coal & Coke Company put beehive coke ovens into full production Brinkley Bridge was built Harry F. Byrd established the Martinsburg Evening Journal McMillan Hospital created by Dr. William A. McMillan The Chilton family acquired an interest in the newspaper and changed the name to the Charleston Gazette The Chilton family acquired an interest in the newspaper and changed the name to the Charleston Gazette Greenbrier Railway Company purchased by C&O Oliver Chitwood became professor of history at WVU Empire Bank building was finished in Clarksburg Michael Benedum moved business headquarters and home to Pittsburgh Stuart shaft mine explosion killed 85 men Alston Dayton issued sweeping temporary injunction against the UMW in Hitchman Coal & Coke v. John Mitchell John Easton came to Williamstown Edgewood Country Club membership under Angus W. MacDonald constructed clubhouse and tennis courts State property levy was eliminated West Virginia lumber production peaked with 1.5 billion board feet sawed Stella Fuller returned to Huntington Howard Gore's father died and he took control of the farm Rimfire Hamrick was employed by the Webster Springs Hotel as guide and handyman A meeting of the West Virginia Fish and Game Protective Association occurred at Clarksburg John Nugent was appointed immigration commissioner Lily Jackson inherited the family estate after her father, John Jay Jr. died Fanny Johnson and husband, Vincent Costello moved to Wheeling UMWA President John Mitchell came to Charleston to launch a major union offensive Blanche Lazzell studied at the Art Students League in New York Coal mining began around Walkersville Mayor Scott Justice renamed the city of Logan Courthouse (formerly Aracoma) as Logan Ezra Cline was born Lawrence J. Corbly's title was changed from principal to president of Marshall College (now University) The old Tyler County High School building was built Three other mine disasters occurred including the Monongah Mine Disaster The first Corn Club in West Virginia was established in Monroe County Margaret Montague published The Sowing of Alderson Cree The B&O line extending to the Morgantown & Kingwood line was completed The Niagara Movement attempted to meet again at Storer College but officials wouldn't allow Pineville was renamed and incorporated, and became county seat of Wyoming County The William Ritter Lumber Company was indicted by a federal grand jury on charge of peonage Reported 6,159 schools in 396 districts in West Virginia The Lewisburg & Ronceverte brought rail service to Lewisburg The Banner Glass Company relocated from Indiana to South Charleston The Robey Theater opened in Spencer The original stone structure was replace by a viaduct Morris Harvey died There was an explosion at the Pleasant Valley Coal Company mine killing 12 men The Virginian Railway was established H. Rus Warne had two exhibits at the Jamestown Exposition in Norfolk, Virginia The Wheeling Custom House (West Virginia Independence Hall) ceased being a federal building. Black teachers formed a separate Northern Teachers' Association I. C. White advocated for legislation establishing the U.S. Bureau of Mines
1909
City of Weirton was founded by Weirton Steel Other events that happened on or around 1909 R. D. Bailey graduated from Valparaiso University in Indiana Waitman Barbe wrote Famous Poems Explained Broaddus Institute (now part of Alderson Broaddus University) moved from Clarksburg to Philippi Broaddus Institute (now Alderson-Broaddus College) moved from Clarksburg to Philippi Rosa Pelham returned to the castle The Birch Boom & Lumber Company built a sawmill near the mouth of Birch River West Virginia legislature created the Board of Control which consolidated management and fiscal control over West Virginia's institutions The Bluefield Daily Telegraph dubbed Bramwell the "Coalfield Capital" Sturdevant and Johnson's partnership ended, factory ceased operation and buildings torn down Camp Dawson was established Elegant seven-story Waldo Hotel opened West Virginia legislation prepared way for establishment of National Forest Reserve in Monongahela Legislature authorized the governor to appoint a Forest, Game and Fish Warden Consolidation Coal, Fairmont Coal and Somerset Coal companies combined into the Consolidation Coal Company Danske Dandridge wrote George Michael Bedinger, a Kentucky Pioneer Huntington annexed Central City Legislation called for forest protection and research and provided fines and imprisonment for owners who intentionally or carelessly set fires Sunday hunting and fishing was prohibited by legislature Michael Owens began his own company to manufacture bottles in Fairmont and Clarksburg Legislature appropriated funds to purchase Grave Creek Mound A receiving vault was built at Greenwood Cemetery Lincoln County destroyed by fire Ernest T. Weir established Weirton Steel The broad-gauge Harrisville Southern Railroad began to run to Cornwallis The Herald-Dispatch began with the merger of the Herald and the Huntington Dispatch Only two county seats in West Virginia were connected by paved highways Legislature established the State Road Fund and the position of state commissioner of public roads Timber production in West Virginia reached its long-time record of 1.5 billion board feet The Jackson Iron & Tin Company relocated to Holiday Cove in Hancock County Garland Wilson was born in Martinsburg Dr. Hugh G. Nicholson leased the Barber Sanatorium and added a nursing school James Kay opened mines on Campbells Creek Keystone was incorporated George Kossuth opened his own photography studio Howard B. Lee began to practice law in Bluefield The Morgantown Republican merged with the New Dominion-News The first congregation of the Church of the Nazarene in West Virginia appeared in Martinsburg Pardee & Curtin opened a double-band sawmill at Hominy Falls. Princeton was chartered as a city The Virginian Railway was completed, the last entry into West Virginia's coalfields. Ritchie Mines were abandoned A second sawmill for St. Lawrence was built for Neola The hotel in Shannondale Springs burned down again Thomas C. Miller became administrator of Shepherd College The Pope Dock Company built Goldenrod A stone sculpture of a frontiersman was dedicated in memory of the Battle of Point Pleasant A steel strike in Wheeling failed Ernest Weir expanded the Phillips Sheet and Tin Plate Company from Clarksburg West Virginia tobacco production peaked at 14,400,000 pounds Fred Torrey enrolled at the Art Institute of Chicago T. C. Townsend first served as the state tax commissioner The name changed from Education Association of West Virginia to the State Education Association Byrd Prillerman became president of West Virginia Colored Institute (now West Virginia State University) The Western Maryland Railway company was organized White Sulphur Springs was incorporated as a town The Wirt County courthouse in Elizabeth burned down Completion of the Virginian Railway sparked an industrial boom in Mullens
1947
Voters approved a city charter for the Weirton Other events that happened on or around 1947 Federal government sold Arthurdale homes and community building to the homesteaders West Virginia Aeronautics Commission formed Florence Blanchfield retired Jesse Bloch's son, Thomas, became president of Bloch Brothers Tobacco Company Bluefield State College (now University) was fully accredited by the American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education Business affairs for WVU and state colleges was transferred to WVU Board of Governors and State Board of Education Tony Boyle was brought to Washington as assistant to UMW President John L. Lewis Harry Brawley won an award for the "School of the Air" series Carter Coal Company sold to Youngstown Sheet & Tube Western Maryland Railroad took possession of the Cheat Mountain Club American Cyanamid built plant near Willow Island Levi Johnson Dean had 139 architectural commissions Coal production peaked with 174 million tons Jack Fleming began announcing for WVU sports Harry B. Heflin became the third president of Glenville State College "Biggie" Goldberg led the Chicago Cardinals to the NFL Championship The Greene Line acquired the Delta Queen Louis W. Chappell recorded Edden Hammons at Richwood Hotel Alberta Pierson Hannum wrote Roseanna McCoy Ken Hechler began teaching at Princeton University Marshall won the NAIB national basketball tournament in Kansas City Homer Holt became general counsel for the Union Carbide company in New York City The Huttonsville Correctional Center became a separate institution from the state penitentiary at Moundsville The West Virginia Conservation Commission constructed a dam and bridge at the Jug of Middle Island Creek, restoring water to the original channel Wertz Field in Institute received modern facilities at Kanawha (Yeager) Airport Supreme Court ruling West Virginia-Pittsburgh Coal Company v. Strong limited surface mining The West Virginia League of Women Voters was recognized by the national office Operation of all locks and dams except Lock and Dam No 1 on the Big Sandy was discontinued Elli Mannette had perfected a steel drum with two octaves of a diatonic scale Jacob Rader Marcus established the American Jewish Archives Dan Maroney became a bus driver for the Charleston Transit Company Mildred Mitchell married William L. Bateman Mildred Mitchell-Bateman was accepted a position as staff physician at Lakin State Hospital Morgantown annexed part of Evansdale The Pence Springs property containing the original spring, hotel and fields were purchased by the state of West Virginia for use as a state prison for women Women prisoners from Moundsville Penitentiary were transferred to women's penitentiary in Pence Springs The Nazarene Camp and Conference ground was established at Summersville WPDX Clarksburg began competing with WMMN Fairmont for country music audience Alex Schoenbaum opened the Parkette Drive-In and Bowling Alley in the west side of Charleston Oliver S. Ikenberry became president of Shepherd College Hulett Smith began serving on the state Aeronautics Commission. Marshall College (now University) won the National Association of Intercollegiate Basketball Championship Miles Stanley became the president of his steelworkers union local An additional appropriation of $60,000 to build the State Police Academy was obtained from legislature Edward W. Stifel Sr. died The Co-operative Transit Company ceased streetcar operations in Wheeling area City Lines of West Virginia ceased streetcar operations in north-central West Virginia Surface mining production reached 18.4 million tons Union Carbide purchased the Institute butadiene, styrene and support facilities to convert to chemical plants Reported 14,510 people were employed in textile-related jobs in West Virginia The University of Hard Knocks was conceived by Jim Comstock Andre Van Damme and family moved to America Vitrolite ceased production Enrollment at West Virginia State College was 1,785 students The West Virginia Turnpike Commission was created by legislature The Nickel Plate Railroad purchased a majority of the Wheeling & Lake Erie Henry Mazer became conductor of the Wheeling Symphony Doc Williams had a major hit, "Beyond the Sunset" Florence Blanchfield ceased as superintendent of the Army Nurse Corps Sam Jones joined the Cleveland Buckeyes of the Negro American League Buck Harless became part owner of a lumber company Toni Stone played for the semi-pro Twin Cities Colored Giants
1960
Weirton had highest population in Hancock County at 28,201 Other events that happened on or around 1960 Chauncey H. Browning's unexpired term in the Supreme Court ended The Conference of Appalachian Governors was formed The President's Appalachian Regional Commission, PARC created, led by FDR Jr. The position of state archeologist was created by state legislature Tony Boyle became vice president of the UMWA Chauncey H. Browning was Chief Justice of the state Supreme Court Clay County was producing 900,000 tons of coal Jack Fleming became general manager of WAJR radio in Morgantown Construction on the Summersville Lake and Dam began. Construction on the Summersville Lake and Dam began Greer Lime Company was formed The Greer Lime Company began production at Key The Glen Rogers Mine was closed by the Old Ben Coal Corporation Partner D. Ray Hall sold Gravely Motor Plow and Cultivator Company to Studebaker Vera Andrews Harvey replaced Roy Lee Harmon as poet laureate The campus of Storer College was added to the Harpers Ferry National Historic Park The United Hospital Center was erected The state population fell to 1,860,421 Frank Hutchison's "Alabama" became a major county hit for Cowboy Copas Storer College buildings were added to the Harpers Ferry National Park Kanawha County peak population at 252,925 Governor Smith was the Democratic state chairman Tom Kromer returned to Huntington from Albuquerque John L. Lewis retired as the president of the UMWA Arden Cogar Sr. started the Webster County Wood Chopping Festival D. K. Shroyer became president of Beckley College (now Mountain State University The City-County Building in Ohio County was dedicated Plum Orchard Lake Wildlife Management Area purchased by the West Virginia Conservation Commission The N&W operated its last steam equipment The Chesapeake & Ohio and the Baltimore & Ohio began a gradual consolidation that eventually included Western Maryland Otis Rice received a Ph.D. in history at Univ. of Kentucky Wm. M. Ritter Lumber Company was sold to the Georgia-Pacific Corporation Jay Rockefeller returned from the International Christian University in Tokyo Rocket boys Homer Hickam, Roy Lee Cooke, Willie Rose, Jim O'Dell Carroll, Quentin Wilson and Sherman Siers won top prize at the National Science Fair for their exhibit "A Study of Amateur Rocketry Techniques" Reported 110,000 Catholics in West Virginia St. Marys population peaked at 2,442 Fred Schaus left as basketball coach at WVU Mary Lee Settle wrote Know Nothing The Preston Railroad line was abandoned South Charleston's population peaked at 19,180 Weirton population peaked at 28,201 Jerry West was unanimous choice for first-team All-American Jerry West co-captained the undefeated U.S. Olympic team West Liberty State College enrollment exceeded 1,000 for the first time The West Virginia Music Educators Association began the movement to adopt "The West Virginia Hills" as the state song Wheeling Steel plants stretched for 30 miles along the Ohio River Henry Aaron was appointed conductor of the Wheeling Symphony There were 1,000 students enrolled at West Virginia Institute of Technology Patrice Harris was born in Bluefield John McKay became head coach at University of Southern California
1980
Hancock County population peaked at 40,418 Other events that happened on or around 1980 Camp Washington-Carver was placed on National Register of Historic Places Third program for ex-cons to rejust to community life and address matters concerning criminal justice system West Virginia crime rate peaked Richard Currey published collection of poetry, Crossing Over: A Vietnam Journal Harrison H. Ferrell Administration Building was dedicated at West Virginia State Reckless was filmed in Weirton The R. D. Bailey Dam was completed Increase in festivals, recordings and craft outlets showed awareness of folk heritage was firmly established The Greenbrier River Trail State Park was created Perry Gresham wrote With Wings as Eagles Harold Hayslett was awarded the gold medal for cello tone Forbes Magazine ranked Heck's third nationally in profitability and growth The homestead exemption was increased to $10,000 and expanded to include owners who are permanently and totally disabled T. D. Jakes started his first church, Greater Emmanuel Temple of Faith in Montgomery Supreme Court ruled in State ex rel. Barker v. Manchin, regarding separation of powers among different branches of government Maryat Lee wrote The Hinton Play The Libertarian Party fielded its first candidate for statewide office, Jack K. Kelley for governor Keith Mailard wrote Alex Driving South Much of Malden was listed as a historic district in the National Register of Historic Places Catherine Marshall wrote Meeting God at Every Turn College of Graduate Studies administrative offices were located on the campus of West Virginia State College Irene McKinney received her Ph.D. from the University of Utah M. Blane Michael stopped serving as special counsel to Gov. Rockefeller Fairmont No. 3 Mine closed Mildred Mitchell-Bateman helped develop the Mental Health Systems Act The Fairmont State College (now University) Library was renamed the Ruth Ann Musick Library Walter Dean Myers received the Coretta Scott King Award for his books Don Nehlen came to coach football at WVU Nicholas County population peaked at 28,126 Chris Sarandon starred as Jesus Christ in The Day Christ Died Mary Lee Settle wrote The Scapegoat Sam Snead joined the Senior PGA Tour Don Blankenship joined Rawl Sales & Processing Company, an A. T. Massey Coal Company subsidiary
1984
Weirton Steel became the nation's largest employee-owned company with implementation of Employee Stock Ownership Plan Other events that happened on or around 1984 The Hinton Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places The distribution operations of Consolidated Gas Supply became Hope Gas and the interstate gas transmission operations became Consolidated Natural Gas Transmission The David W. Harris Riverfront Park opened in Huntington St. Colman Church and cemetery were placed on the National Register of Historic Places Supreme Court Ruling Allen v. West Virginia Human Rights Commission ordered state officials to ensure prompt consideration of human rights complaints Maryat Lee moved the EcoTheater to Lewisburg Catherine Marshall's novel Julie was published posthumously Jack Maurice retired from the Charleston Daily Mail Irene McKinney published a collection of poetry, The Wasps at the Blue Hexagon The Metropolitan Theater in Morgantown was placed on the National Register of Historic Places A devastating flood in Mingo County caused the loss of many homes and business Waterford Park race track reopened after legislature granted tax concession Walter Dean Myers graduated from Empire State College Medal of Honor recipient Major General Charles Rogers retired from the military
2000
Reported population of 32,667 in Hancock County Other events that happened on or around 2000 Ceredo had 1,675 residents Charleston population fell to 53,421 Clay Foundation assets at $67 million Reported 44 chapters of the state society of the Daughters of the American Revolution Northern Panhandle and southeastern part of the state had highest median ages Eastern Panhandle and southwestern part of the state had lowest median ages Doddridge population reached 7,403 Dunbar had a population of 8,154 Charleston ranked 167th out of 318 Metropolitan Statistical Areas West Virginia's official poverty rate sat at 17.9% Elizabeth's population was 994 Fairmont had population of 19,097 People 65+ represented 15.3% of population in West Virginia Follansbee's population reported at 3,115 Forestlands of West Virginia reported at 78% of states' area Franklin population reported at 797 Grafton population stood at 2,489 Population of Grant County rose to 11,299 Greenbrier County had a population of 34,453 people Hardy County reported a population of 12,669 Harpers Ferry was reported with a population of 307 Harrisville held a population of 1,842 The U.S. Census reported the state's population at 1,808,350 The population of Hurricane was reported at 5,222 Census reported 3,606 Indians living in West Virginia Jackson County's population was 28,000 Ripley's population stood at 3,263 Ravenswood's population stood at 4,301 Kanawha County population was the largest in the state at 200,073 Kenova population remained the largest in Wayne County at 3,485 Keyser's population was 5,303 Keystone's population had fallen to 453 City of Logan population was 1,630 Logan County population reported at 37,710 Population of Madison was 2,677 Mannington population was 2,124 Reported 142,728 manufactured homes in West Virginia West Virginia had the third-highest home-ownership rates in the U.S. at 75.2% Marion County population stood at 56,598 Population of Marlinton was 1,204 Marshall County's population was 35,519 Martinsburg population was 75,905 The population of Mason county was 25,957 Census reported African-Americans were 11.9% of McDowell's population Population of McDowell County was 27,329 West Virginia had the country's highest median age at 38.9 years Mercer County population was 62,980 Reported 125,336 members of 1,341 United Methodist churches in West Virginia Middlebourne's population was 870 Milton's population was 2,206 Monongalia County had a population of 81,866 Monroe county had a population of 14,583 Morgan County had a population of 14,943 Morgantown population was 26,809 Moundsville had a population of 9,978 Population of New Cumberland was 1,099 Nicholas County had a population of 26,562 Census reports 141,060 people living in the Northern Panhandle Oak Hill population was 7,589 Population of Ohio County was 47,427 Eleven Orthodox Christian churches were listed in a church survey with 4,310 adherents Paden City's population was 2,860 Parkersburg's population was 33,099 The population of Paw Paw was 524 Franklin had 797 residents The population of Petersburg was 2,423 The population of Philippi was 2,870 Piedmont's population was 1,014 The population of Pineville was 715 The population of Pleasants County was 7,514 The population of Pocahontas County was 9,131 Richwood had a population of 2,477 Ritchie County's population was 10,343 Roane County population was 15,446 Reported 100,000 Catholics in West Virginia Romney had a population of 1,940 The population of St. Albans was 11,567 St. Marys population was at 2,017 Reported 3,060 second homes in Pocahontas County Shinnston's population was 2,295 South Charleston had a population of 13,390 Spencer had a population of 2,352 Sternwheel Regatta festivities were scaled back to an extended weekend Hinton's population was 2,880 Summersville population was 3,294 Sutton had a population 1,011 Taylor County population was 16,089 Tucker County population was 7,321 Union had a population of 548 Upshur County population was 23,404 Vienna had a population of 10.861 Wayne had a population of 1,105 Wayne County population was 42, 903 Webster County population was 9,719 Webster Springs had a population of 808 Weirton population was 20,411 Welch population was 2,683 Wellsburg population was 2,891 West Union had a population of 806 Weston's population was 4,317 Westover had a population of 3,941 Wetzel County had a population of 17,693 Wheeling population was 31,419 Population of White Sulphur Springs was 2,315 Williamson population was 3,414 Winfield population was 1,858 Wirt County had a population of 5,873 Wood County had a population of 87,986
2003
Mountaineer Race Track became Hancock County's second-largest employer Other events that happened on or around 2003 The state Board of Education voted to replace Lincoln County's four high schools with one consolidated high school Keith Mailard wrote Clarinet Polka Gretchen Laska wrote The Midwife's Tale Jessica Lynch was selected as the West Virginian of the Year by Charleston's Sunday Gazette-Mail I Am a Soldier, Too: The Jessica Lynch Story was published by Rick Bragg Joe Manchin announced his intention to run for governor in 2004
2004
Weirton Steel ceased to be an employee-owned company Other events that happened on or around 2004 The speaker of the House of Delegates was Robert "Bob" Kiss Literacy West Virginia was formed from the merger of the Literacy volunteers of America and Lauback Literacy Action William Drennen and Kojo Jones wrote Red, White, Black & Blue: A Dual Memoir of Race and Class in Appalachia Plans were made to consolidate Iaeger and Big Creek high schools in McDowell County Chuck Kinder wrote The Last Mountain Dancer which includes the Mothman The Mountain State University Cougars won the NAIA Division I national basketball championship Mylan Laboratories announced plans to acquire non-generic drug maker King Pharmaceuticals Huntington Banks became the third-largest bank holding company in West Virginia The National Bank of Commerce became SunTrust The New River Community and Technical College was made independent of Bluefield State College The U.S. 60 bridge connecting Cabell and Wayne counties was named the Colonel Justice M. Chambers Memorial Bridge. View Articles by Existing Key Dates or Specify Your Own Date Range |
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