Appalachian Bible Institute had a student body of 40 and needed more space
Walter Barnes retired as president of the West Virginia Folklore Society
West Virginia physician Joseph E. Martin Jr. insisted black lung was a progressive, terminal disease associated with exposure to coal dust.
W. E. Blackhurst published Riders of the Flood
Improved amplifiers made it possible to offer as many as five cable television channels by the end of the year
Monsanto and Bayer built polyurethane foam plant in New Martinsville
J. R. Clifford remains re-interred at Arlington National Cemetery
Explosion at Jamison No. 9 mine killed 16
Life magazine dedicated 3 pages of photos to Phyllis Curtin's "dance of the seven veils"
Farm Women's Clubs changed names to Home Demonstration clubs
West Virginia State's land grant college status was transferred to WVU
Fairmont State College opened the campus to black students for the first time
Deadly explosion in Consolidation Coal Company's Farmington Mine
The Follansbee steel mill was sold to the Louis Berkman Company
Davis Grubb wrote A Dream of Kings
John T. Willet became commissioner of the Harpers Ferry National Historic Park
Harold Hayslett established Hayslett Violins in South Charleston
The West Virginia Turnpike was completed from Princeton to Charleston
The federal government transferred the deed of the Holly River State Park to the state
Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corporation built a large aluminum plant in Ravenswood
Garland Wilson died in Paris
Joy Manufacturing Company reported that 72% of all coal loaded mechanically was loaded by Joy loaders
Lakin State Hospital was integrated after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled segregation unconstitutional
Harts High School was built at Harts
Marshall College named its buffalo mascot "Marco"
Governor William Marland implemented his no-nonsense policy of public school desegregation following the U.S. Supreme Court Brown v. Board of Education decision
Minter Homes Corporation began concentrating on custom millwork, finished lumber, windows, doors and other items for building contractors
Public school districts in Morgantown desegregated
John Norman received an M.D. from Harvard Medical School
The Oak Hill Saturday Night Wrestling television show first aired
Peach production was at 900,000 bushels
The Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative purchased Hardy County Power and Light
Fred Schaus began coaching basketball at WVU
Shepherd College admitted African-American students for the first time
Red Sovine joined the Grand Ole Opry
Morris Harvey College football team participated in the Cigar Bowl in Tampa
Miles Stanley was elected president of the Kanawha Valley Industrial Council
A Turnpike Division was added to the State Police
The Statler hotel chain was purchased by Conrad Hilton
Boyd Stutler left the American Legion magazine
Pope Pius XII bestowed the honorary title of archbishop ad personam on John Swint
Clint Thomas became messenger for the state Senate
The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Morgantown was founded
WCHS-TV Channel 8 was launched
The Press Association was revived under its original name
The West Virginia State Wildlife Center began evolving as a zoo
Geoffrey Hobday began leading the Charleston Symphony Orchestra
