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Wirt County

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1772

The first white explored the Wirt County area

Other events that happened on or around 1772

1799

William Beauchamp Sr was the earliest settlers in the Wirt County area

Other events that happened on or around 1799

1800

Barney McGraw planted the first apple orchard in the Little Kanawha Valley

Other events that happened on or around 1800

1819

Oil was produced by George Lemon in Wirt County

Other events that happened on or around 1819

1822

Elizabeth was chartered by the General Assembly

Other events that happened on or around 1822

1832

William Wirt was a presidential candidate of the Anti-Masonic Party

Other events that happened on or around 1832

1840

William P. Rathbone and his sons purchased 12,000 acres at Burning Springs Run in Wirt County.

Other events that happened on or around 1840

Jan 19, 1848

Wirt County was created by the General Assembly

1860

Samuel D. Karnes stuck oil and began producing, opening Burning Springs oil field

1860

Samuel D. Karnes leased an acre from the Rathbones

Other events that happened on or around 1860

May 09, 1863

A Confederate raiding party under Gen. William E. "Grumble" Jones set fire to the Burning Springs oil field and to crude oil being stored in the area.

1863

Wirt County was divided into 7 districts

Other events that happened on or around 1863

1874

Four locks and dams were completed by the Little Kanawha Navigation Company

Other events that happened on or around 1874

1900

Wirt County's population peaked at 10,284

Other events that happened on or around 1900

1909

The Wirt County courthouse in Elizabeth burned down

Other events that happened on or around 1909

2000

Wirt County had a population of 5,873

Other events that happened on or around 2000


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