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Morgantown
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1783
Zackquill Morgan had Morgantown surveyed on his land Other events that happened on or around 1783 Western Land was offered in payment to Revolutionary War veterans William Haymond surveyed streets and lots Zackquill Morgan became the proprietor of an "ordinary" (Tavern or inn) The recorded owner of Organ cave was John Gardner John McCue planted churches in Lewisburg, Union, and Spring Creek. The British accepted Virginia's claim to the Ohio Valley territory in the Treaty of Paris, which ends the Revolutionary War The Tomlinson family returned to the Grave Creek area John Thornton Augustine Washington was born
Oct 17, 1785
Morgan's Town was established by the General Assembly
1803
Residents established the first school of Morgantown Other events that happened on or around 1803 Buckongahelas signed the Fort Wayne Treaty Ferries operated across both Ohio and Little Kanawha rivers Capt. Meriwether Lewis accepted Patrick Gass as a volunteer for expedition John George Jackson elected to Congress from the First District of Virginia The Old State Road underwent major repairs Joseph Ruffner died St. George's Chapel was abandoned due to the loss of endowments and property by the Anglican Church
1826
The first steamboat arrived in Morgantown Other events that happened on or around 1826 Capt. William Jenkins moved to Green Bottom with his family Edward Brake Jackson died Jonathan Jackson died John Jeremiah Jacob gave his account of Dunmore's War Wheeling, Morgantown, Romney, Harpers Ferry, Lewisburg and Martinsburg had libraries Anne Royall wrote Sketches of History, Life, and Manners in the United States School sessions were held regularly in Moundsville Holly Grove was opened as a house of public entertainment The General Assembly changed end of Staunton Turnpike to be Parkersburg George Summers graduated from Ohio University
1838
The General Assembly granted Morgantown its first charter Other events that happened on or around 1838 Beckley was established as a town Grave Creek Tablet found at Grave Creek Mound in Moundsville Claymont burned to the brick walls James Warren and T. W. Morzani patented the Warren double-intersection truss Northwestern Virginia Turnpike was completed to Parkersburg Palatine was surveyed Construction began on the Giles, Fayette & Kanawha Turnpike Robert E. Lee became captain Claudius Crozet recommended that 10 locks and dams be constructed to permit navigation of the Little Kanawha The Monongahela Navigation Company of Pennsylvania built a series of locks and dams from Pittsburgh to the West Virginia border Martinsville was incorporated The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad arrived in Paw Paw Samuel Price moved to Lewisburg The Princeton post office opened Alexander Reynolds graduated from West Point The Shannondale Springs resort was incorporated The James River & Kanawha Turnpike was extended to Parkersburg The first class of West Liberty State College met in the home of Nathan Shotwell Dr. John J. Moorman began doctoring the crowds at White Sulphur Springs
1860
The Monongalia Academy, Morgantown Female Academy and Woodburn Female Seminary educated white students 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 Hancock County reported only 2 slaves in population of 4,445 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 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
1868
The Agricultural College of West Virginia was renamed West Virginia University at the recommendation of Alexander Martin Other events that happened on or around 1868 Schools for black children were being built in 18 communities in West Virginia A construction bid for Clarksburg School, an elementary black school, was accepted A springhouse was built at Barger Springs (Summers County) Jacob Blair was appointed minister to Costa Rica The new Harpers Ferry bridge was completed Thayer sold Ceredo to mortgage holder, Charles B. Hoard Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad was created Gen. William C. Wickham became president of the C&O Railroad The state purchased the institution now known as Fairmont State University Vedette changed name to the West Virginian Freedmen's Bureau ceased operation in West Virginia President Grant appointed Nathan Goff Jr. U.S. district attorney for West Virginia Catherine Jackson White purchased Jackson's Mill John Kenna finished his studies at St. Vincents Academy in Wheeling Lincoln County's borders changed Dr. H. Stieren of St. Louis established a bromine factory in Mason County The Grand Army of the Republic established Decoration Day, predecessor to Memorial Day The legislature created two public school districts in Morgantown, white and black Anna Maria Jarvis organized Mothers' Friendship Day celebration The steamboat Mountain Boy was built on the Monongahela River at Brownsville, Pennsylvania All refineries except one founded by Johnson Newlon Camden closed due to his partnership with Standard Oil Trust George Peterkin graduated from the Theological Seminary of Virginia. Drilling for oil and gas began in Roane County William Rosecrans served as minister to Mexico John Cunningham acquired the Phillip R. Thompson property, which he had incorporated and named Kanawha City Senator Peter Van Winkle cast the next-to-last vote and only Republican vote that saved President Andrew Johnson from being removed on impeachment charges Fred E. Brooks was born Reported 200 patients were being cared for at Weston State Hospital Winfield was incorporated
1886
A branch of the B&O reached Morgantown Other events that happened on or around 1886 Park was built on the upper end of Blennerhassett Island Railroad line was built through the area of New Cumberland by Pennsylvania Railroad William Edwin Chilton ran unsuccessfully for state senate Aretas Fleming's fortunes were joined with U.S. Sen. Johnson Newlon Camden Millard F. Giesey opened his own architecture office in Wheeling John P. Hale produced book, Trans-Allegheny Pioneers John P. Hale produced book, Trans-Allegheny Pioneers A "substantial brick jail" was added to the courthouse in Hamlin A referendum was unsuccessfully proposed to make Ravenswood the new county seat of Jackson County Harriet Jones opened a private practice in Wheeling Marlin's Bottom changed its name to Marlinton John McGraw was appointed collector of internal revenue for West Virginia by President Cleveland A permanent Mormon presence in West Virginia began with the creation of the West Virginia Conference The first public high school for blacks, Sumner High, was established in Parkersburg. The Ravenswood, Spencer, & Glenville Railroad was established. A referendum confirmed Ripley as county seat of Jackson County Anne Spence and mother moved to Bramwell Telephone switchboards were installed at Martinsburg A fire burned much of the Valley Falls area Clarence W. Watson graduated from Fairmont State Normal School James O. Watson and Aretas B. Fleming started the Montana mine Henry Everett Engle copyrighted the music to "The West Virginia Hills" The drilling of the first gas well in Hundred Frank Reeves was born in Fairmont
1894
The B&O branch in Morgantown extended to Connellsville, Pennsylvania Other events that happened on or around 1894 Broaddus Female College (now part of Alderson Broaddus University) accepted its first male students Cyrus Thomas published Report on the Mound Explorations of the Bureau of Ethnology. Newton Diehl Baker received law degree from Washington and Lee University New bridges were constructed in Harpers Ferry and some of the remaining Bollman trusses were converted to highway use Evening Mail became morning paper after George Warren sold to John B. Floyd Democratic Supremacy in West Virginia ended John Cornwell passed the bar exam John Dickinson became the first director of the West Virginia Bankers Association John Hardy was hanged at Welch for killing a man in a card game Pennsylvania Glass Sand Company began mining Oriskany sand in the same geological formation in Pennsylvania about 80 miles north of Morgan County, West Virginia The Easton Roller Mill replaced buhrs with steam power and rollers A high school was established in Harrisville Only about half of state miners participated in a nationwide strike by UMWA The American Ancient Order of Hibernians peaked in West Virginia with 647 men in 12 Hibernian divisions Elmer Jacobs set up practice in Morgantown John Dickinson became cashier of the Kanawha Valley Bank Kenova was incorporated as a town The city of Welch was incorporated John McWhorter received a law degree from WVU law school The first two nurses at Wheeling City Hospital Training School received their diplomas Livia Simpson Poffenbarger married George Poffenbarger. The first Presbyterian Church was formed in Williamson. Rt. Rev. Patrick J. Donahue was appointed bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling Telephone switchboards were installed at Fairmont The Big Moses gas well was drilled Clarence W. Watson married Minnie Lee Owings Kenova was chartered The Historical Society was given larger quarters for its museum and library at the Capitol The National Guard was activated for service in areas of labor unrest Westvaco opened headquarters in New York City Albert White managed the U.S. Senate campaign of Stephen B. Elkins
1900
Morgantown population was at 1,895 Other events that happened on or around 1900 West Virginia had 100,000 farms on 8.9 million acres Charles Ambler served as sheriff of Pleasants County for two years B&O added the Monongahela River Railroad (Fairmont to Clarksburg) There were 600 Baptist churches in West Virginia Raleigh County Republicans launched the Raleigh Herald Berkeley County population was 19,469 First women on the Bethany College board of trustees Jesse Bloch entered the family Bloch Brothers Tobacco Company Alonzo Brooks completed a business course at West Virginia Wesleyan College Capon Springs developer William H. Sale died Cass was founded by West Virginia Pulp & Paper Company West Virginia Pulp & Paper built paper mill at Covington, Virginia The Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) completed its Greenbrier Division into Pocahontas County to harvest red spruce on Cheat and Back Allegheny mountains Moses Donnally sold the Charleston Gazette Davis Child Shelter, an orphanage, was established in Charleston First sewer lines were installed in Clarksburg Coal production had doubled Little evidence of the Coal River locks and dams remained West Virginia chapter of the Colonial Dames of America was organized Only remnant populations of deer and turkey were noted West Virginia's median age was below national average at 20.3 Doddridge County population was 13,689 William Edwards wrote a book on the authorship of Shakespeare's plays Fairmont Times was first published by Gen. C. L. Smith and O. S. McKinney Thaddeus Fowler returned to West Virginia Garnet High School was founded with a class of 12 black students Howard Gore graduated from WVU with a degree in agriculture Harrison County held a population of 27,690 Nancy Hart and husband Joshua Douglas settled in Webster County Morris Harvey founded the Fayette National Bank William "Coin" Harvey moved to Arkansas to begin building a retreat and vacation resort The population of Helvetia reached 500 people The first time the word "hillbilly" was used in print, in a New York newspaper Reported 1,062 native Hungarians in West Virginia Water power began being used for the production of electricity in West Virginia, at Kanawha Falls Census reported 2,458 Indians living in West Virginia There were 18 farms of the settlers on the Irish Tract Jackson County's population rose to 19,000 Don Redman was born in Piedmont The Kanawha Falls were augmented by a low dam Oil and natural gas in high quantities was found in Lewis County Cousin Abe Lilly received a law degree from the Southern Normal University, Tennessee Railroad replaces streams as the chief means of transporting logs to sawmills The Benwood Ironworks grew into a large steel mills James Miller ceased to be Summers County prosecuting attorney James Miller ran unsuccessfully for state auditor Steam and electric fans made larger mines possible The completion of the C&O Railway's Greenbrier Division to Marlinton put the Minnehaha Springs within reach of travelers Fairmont's first electric streetcar line built The Morgantown Glass Works began production A developer began selling oceanfront lots for $25 in Myrtle Beach The anticlinal theory of oil and gas was applied along Sand Fork of the Little Kanawha The Toledo & Ohio Central gained control of the Kanawha & Michigan and the Kanawha & West Virginia Railroad The Pennsylvania Railroad began purchasing the N&W stock E.M. Carney purchased the Pence Springs property Kanawha County had the largest population with 54,696 residents. The largest city in the state was Wheeling with a population of 38,878. The Lilly family began ownership of the Ruffner Hotel St. Joseph's Hospital was founded by Patrick J. Donahue Samuel and Violet Bryant got their first jobs on showboats James H. Brown's obelisk was erected at Spring Hill Cemetery Interurban railway operations began in Huntington Tyler County's oil and gas boom peaked Wayne County population was at 23,619 Wings were added to Woodburn Hall at WVU Weston had municipal water plant, sanitary and storm sewer systems and brick paved streets West Virginia Pulp & Paper began constructing a sawmill in Cass A nursing school was founded at Wheeling Hospital The Collins Colliery company store burned Matthew Whittico moved to Keystone Buffalo, elk, gray wolf and passenger pigeon had all disappeared from West Virginia The second courthouse at Winfield was built Wirt County's population peaked at 10,284 Carter G. Woodson became principal of Douglass High School The first record of the ballad "The Wreck on the C&O" came out
1901
Morgantown annexed Greenmont, Seneca, and South Morgantown Other events that happened on or around 1901 Emma Alderson founded the Alderson Baptist Academy (now Alderson-Broaddus College) in Alderson Emma Alderson founded the Alderson Baptist Academy (now part of Alderson Broaddus University) in Alderson Charles Ambler went to school at WVU Morris Harvey donated $10,000 to Barboursville College, now University of Charleston Branch of the C&O reached Beckley Matthew Clair earned his PhD from Bennette College in Greensboro, NC Thomas G. McKell built the Dun Glen Hotel West Virginia oil production peaked at 16 million barrels Deadly explosion in Consolidation Coal Company's No. 9 occurred Aretas Fleming and Clarence W. Watson merged coal companies into the Fairmont Coal Company Legislature decreed state game and fish warden would be paid from state treasury and could appoint deputy wardens J. P. Morgan interests began construction on works in Gary The Little Kanawha Valley Bank was incorporated The Barboursville Seminary changed its name to Morris Harvey College, now University of Charleston Harold Houston began practicing law in Parkersburg The Cabell County Courthouse was dedicated The Home for the Incurables changed its name to West Virginia Asylum James Monroe Jackson died Teepi Kendrick married Olive Garrison A constitutional amendment required voter registration I. T. Mann visited financier J. P. Morgan in New York Mifflin Marsh died The United State Stamping Company began operations Alexander McVeigh Miller won a seat in the West Virginia Senate The N&W acquired the Cincinnati, Portsmouth & Virginia Earl Oglebay sold his iron ore interests to U.S. Steel Earl Oglebay bought a mansion between Wheeling and Bethany, Waddington Farm George Peterkin helped erect a monument on Valley Mountain to memorialize the deaths of Confederate soldiers The Flat-top Coal Land Association was reorganized as the Pocahontas Coal & Coke Company Livia Poffenbarger established a local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Potomac State College was founded The West Virginia University band was founded by Walter Mestrezat. Daniel Purinton returned to WVU to become president. Richwood was incorporated Charles Ritter brought the offices of Tug River Lumber Company to Huntington William M. Ritter Lumber Company was incorporated Benjamin Rosenbloom played on the WVU football team The board of directed voted to establish a nursing school at Sheltering Arms Hospital The Pope Dock Company built New Grand Floating Palace The first local branch of West Virginia Socialist Party was established in Wheeling Samuel Starks was appointed as the first black in U.S. to serve as state librarian The Fairmont & Clarksburg Traction streetcar company began Another long distance telephone line was constructed through West Virginia The first coal in Upshur County was commercially mined Ward Engineering Works built the Unique for the U.S. Engineering Corp The Historical Society began publishing The West Virginia Historical Magazine Quarterly Albert Blakeslee White became governor Hurry-up Yost became coach at University of Michigan James E. Taylor died in New York City
1910
Morgantown population rose to 9,150 Other events that happened on or around 1910 Appalachian Power Company began Daniel Willard became president of B&O Mannington, Fairmont, Clarksburg, and Grafton baseball teams formed the Class D West Virginia League Charleston entered professional baseball Beckley population rose to 2,161 Bluefield's population exceeded 10,000 U.S. Supreme Court established boundary between Preston County, West Virginia and Garrett County, Maryland Pearl Buck returned to the U.S. after living in China Pine Run School was built Annie G. Packette raised $50,000 to construct Charleston Opera House Charleston Mail sold to Samuel Dixon Men including John W. Davis published the Culpeper Exponent U.S. Bureau of Mines created after the Fairmont disaster of 1907 West Virginia coke production peaked at 4,217,381 tons Justus Collins opened Winding Gulf mine Danske Dandridge wrote Historic Shepherdstown Levi Dean began practicing architecture in Charleston The first deer hunting season was established West Virginia's approximate deer population was 1,000 Thurmond accounted for almost 20% of all revenue generated on C&O Railway Isaac Morris sold Easton Roller Mill to William Ley West Virginia schools had fallen behind national averages West Virginia had only 12 fully accredited high schools The Department of Education increased to five divisions Golden era of glass production ended Aretas Fleming pushed to establish the U.S. Bureau of Mines A. B. Brooks compiled a report on West Virginia forests Thaddeus Fowler returned to West Virginia Number of farms in West Virginia stood at 97,000 Glass factory employment totaled 7,500 workers The Meadow River Lumber Company was organized in Rainelle The C&O purchased the Greenbrier Resort and developed it into a major destination Rimfire Hamrick opened a jewelry, watch repair, and gunsmith shop in Webster Springs The High Gate mansion was built for James Edwin Watson Census reported 5,939 Hungarians in West Virginia Census showed 17 Irish families and 82 person occupying Irish Mountain Reported 17,000 Italian immigrants in West Virginia McDowell County reported the most Italian immigrants in West Virginia with 2,300 City of Ranson was established Reported most of the Kelly Axe Company's grinders were natives of Poland or Russia Harley Kilgore graduated from Mannington High School Sarah Ann Legg appealed her case for murder of Jay Legg and was acquitted of all charges Lincoln County had a population of 20,491 Signs bearing "Chew Mail Pouch Tobacco, Treat yourself to the Best" began appearing Akro Agate was founded in Ohio Marlinton had a tannery, two banks, two newspapers, 20 stores, a hospital, opera house, fire department, school, water system, & electric power Marlinton Opera House was built by J. C. Tilton John Matheus graduated from Western Reserve University (Case Western Reserve) in Cleveland, Ohio The original sawmill of the Meadow River Lumber Company was built The McKendree and Welch hospitals opened affiliated nursing schools Howard Sloan organized the first enduring work of the Church of the Nazarene in West Virginia The New York Central gained control of the Toledo & Ohio Central Niagara Movement failed to meet The O. Ames company arrived in Parkersburg 37 of the state's 55 counties were completely dry or allowed the prohibition of the sale of liquor under local option laws. The C&O and Virginian railroads had penetrated every section of Raleigh County A factory making buttons from river mussel shell opened in St. Marys Nathan Scott lost the Republican nomination The Raine brothers established the Meadow River Lumber Company Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes ruled that the Swan lands had been forfeited to the state because taxes had not been paid Thurmond had a population of 315 The B&O railroad penetrated the Trough Tucker County population peaked at 18,675 U.S. Coal & Coke built 12 individual company towns at Gary The steamboat Virginia went aground on a falling Ohio River and ended up in a cornfield at Ravenswood The Meyercord-Carter Company reorganized as the Vitrolite Company The Greenbrier, Cheat & Elk Railroad was incorporated T. Edward Hill joined the McDowell Times Ohio Valley Glass became Paul Wissmach Glass Company
1947
Morgantown annexed part of Evansdale 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 Voters approved a city charter for the Weirton 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 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
1949
Morgantown annexed Suncrest and Sabraton Other events that happened on or around 1949 Appalachian Electric Power provided electricity in 21 counties Clyde Beale pardoned by Governor Patteson Walter Barnes wrote The Teacher Speaks West Virginia Conservation Commission constructed Baker Lake The Berkeley Woolen Company closed its operations in Martinsburg Pearl S. Buck founded the international adoption agency, Welcome House, based in Pennsylvania Lew Burdette married Mary Ann Shelton The state's first television station WSAZ-TV went on air West Virginia chose electric chair over hanging for capital punishment Northern cardinal became the state bird William E. Davies published first full report on West Virginia caves The beginnings of the Cedar Lakes Conference Center originated in an act of the legislature B'nai Jacob congregation moved to new synagogue Little Jimmy Dickens joined the Grand Ole Opry at WSM Henry Hazelwood retired as principal The Booth family sold the Dreamland to group of Huntington businessmen Joanne Dru appeared in She Wore a Yellow Ribbon Bishop Strider announced his retirement Forestlands of West Virginia covered 60 % of state Major flood brought devastation to Grant County Capt. Mary B. Greene, wife of Capt. Gordon Greene, died Carroll High School in Hamlin was destroyed by fire Alberta Pierson Hannum's book Roseanna McCoy was released as a motion picture The Health Department shifted its emphasis from communicable diseases to chronic illnesses and other public health issues. Cam Henderson resigned as the Marshall football coach The Huntington Publishing Co. started WSAZ-TV Channel 3, first TV station in West Virginia and one of earliest in the country The construction of Bluestone Dam on the New River was completed Rush Holt changed his party affiliation from Democratic to Republican William Flannery became speaker of the House of Delegates Hayes Picklesimer succeeded John L. Dickinson as president of Kanawha Valley Bank Kelly Axe and Tool Company changed its name to True Temper Larry Richardson and Bob Osborne joined the Lonesome Pine Fiddlers Berry Pink and Sellers Peltier founded the Marble King Company Clarence Meadows opened a law office in Charleston West Virginia Mountain State Gospel Singers Corporation invited groups from Greenbrier and Fayette counties to participate in Nicholas County homecoming of Mount Nebo Gospel Sings Marble King Factory moved to St. Marys DuPont plant built at Washington Bottom Alfred Knobler created the Pilgrim Glass Corporation Mole Hill changed its name to Mountain Jack Rollins wrote the lyrics to "Peter Cottontail" Fred Schaus made All-American in basketball at WVU Union Carbide developed its technical center above its South Charleston plant Red Sovine began recording with MGM, Decca, and eventually Starday Marshal played in the Tangerine Bowl Buddy Starcher's "I'll Still Write Your Name in the Sand" became a hit Weldon Cook and Robert Livingston Russell formed the Cook-Russell Theater Corp The sugar maple became the state tree of West Virginia The West Virginia State Police Academy began operation Commercial television cable installation began operating at Piedmont and Cameron The second USS Huntington was decommissioned after three tours to the Mediterranean WAJR-AM in Morgantown became the flagship station for statewide network distribution of WVU football and basketball games Land was donated to the state for the Watters Smith Memorial State Park Wheeling Dollar Saving & Trust acquired National Exchange Bank The State Education Association changed its name to the West Virginia Education Association Riley Wilson became seriously ill at the inauguration of President Truman Virginia Mae Brown became executive secretary of the West Virginia Judicial Council Sam Jones signed with the Cleveland Indians Elizabeth Harden married Virgil Gilmore, a future two-term Charleston city councilman Toni Stone played for the San Francisco Sea Lions, then joined the New Orleans Creoles
1954
Public school districts in Morgantown desegregated Other events that happened on or around 1954 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 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 West Virginia dedicated the Charlton Memorial Bridge on the West Virginia Turnpike
1974
The Mountaineer Mall opened in Morgantown Other events that happened on or around 1974 The first annual Apple Butter Festival was held at Berkeley Springs State Park The Elkins newspaper building burned to the ground Jayne Anne Phillips graduated magna cum laude from WVU William Pierce co-founded the National Alliance A replica of Pricketts Fort was rebuilt Richard Freeland moved Rebel Records to Asbury in Greenbrier County Leonard Riggleman fought to prevent Morris Harvey College from being given to the state Rock Springs Park structures were sold to make way for a new road and Ohio River bridge. The B&O railroad tracks were removed in Rosbys Rock The St. Albans Archeological Site was placed on the National Register of Historic places Sam Snead left the Greenbrier for the Homestead Sites in Mingo, Logan and Wyoming counties were established for the southern West Virginia community and technical college Blaze Starr wrote an autobiography Sunrise mansion was added to the National Register of Historic Places Ewel Cornett assisted in reorganizing the Theatre West Virginia The Catholic Committee of Appalachia raised concerns regarding the economic and political inequalities A bronze casting of the "Lincoln Walks at Midnight" statue was made by Bernard Wiepper for the West Virginia capitol Twin Falls pioneer homestead completed A collection of Melville Davisson Post's stories were published in The Methods of Uncle Abner Congress abolished the Office of Economic Opportunity poverty agency Don West wrote O Mountaineers: A Collection of Poems The Folklore Society met at Fairmont State The Tomlinson mansion was added to the National Register of Historic Places WVU at Parkersburg enrollment was at 5,149 students Baggage claim addition was built at Kanawha (Yeager) Airport Conchata Ferrell won the Drama Desk, Obie and Theatre World Best Actress Awards
1983
Main Street Morgantown was organized Other events that happened on or around 1983 Roger Howdyshell bought Marble King John Sayles and Maggie Renzie arrived in West Virginia to produce a film about the Matewan Massacre Kathy Mattea got a record contract with Mercury Records Willow Glen "McKinley's Palace" was added to the National Register of Historic Places No known granny-midwives were practicing in West Virginia State Supreme Court ruled on La Rue v La Rue, which created the concept of equitable distribution of marital assets West Virginia Public Broadcasting's Mountain Stage began as a radio show hosted by Larry Groce and George Daugherty Waterford Park (later Mountaineer) racetrack closed The "Big John" dragline scoop came to the Hobet 21 surface mine in Boone and Lincoln counties The Stories of Breece D'J Pancake was published by Atlantic Monthly Press/Little Brown Silver Creek ski area opened The major northern and southern branches of American Presbyterianism reunited Ronald Ohl became president of Salem College The Seneca Glass Company closed Ada "Bricktop" Smith published her autobiography Michael Smith recorded his first album, the Michael W. Smith Project Silver Creek ski area opened down the mountain from Snowshoe Tobacco was the second most valuable farm crop in West Virginia Stephen and Deborah Starks continued publication of the Beacon Journal under the name West Virginia Beacon Digest A continuous-care and kidney dialysis center was dedicated at Wheeling Hospital Additional repairs were made to the Wheeling Suspension Bridge Winterplace ski area opened WSAZ music changed from program format to country music The Diamond department store closed "Diamond Teeth" Mary McClain appeared in the documentary Free Show Tonight Marc Harshman's first book of poetry, Turning Out the Stones, was published The Charleston Gazette-Mail named Buck Harless West Virginian of the Year George Daugherty and Larry Groce hosted Mountain Stage
2000
Morgantown population was 26,809 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 Reported population of 32,667 in Hancock County 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 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 View Articles by Existing Key Dates or Specify Your Own Date Range |
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