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Taylor County

Created by an act of the Virginia General Assembly, January 19, 1844, Taylor County was formed from parts of Barbour, Harrison, and Marion counties. The county was named in honor of U.S. Sen. John Taylor (1753–1824), a soldier-statesman from Caroline County, Virginia.

Mapped Points

• Grafton

  Grafton, the county seat, was one of the nation’s first railroad towns. Grafton is home to the Grafton National Cemetery. The first Mother’s Day observance took place at Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton on May 10, 1908. The city is also home to the historic Willard Hotel.
  

  

• Pruntytown

  Pruntytown is the oldest settlement in Taylor County, dating back to the early 1770s. Pruntytown Correctional Center is located in the town. Pruntytown is also home to the West Virginia National Cemetery.
  

  

• Tygart Lake State Park

  Tygart Lake State Park offers a lodge, restaurant, cabins and camping, and a range of recreational opportunities.
  

  

• Tygart Lake

  Tygart Lake was created by the damming of the Tygart Valley River. Tygart Dam was completed in 1938.
  

  

• Tygart Valley River

  The Tygart Valley River is a major tributary of the Monongahela River.