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Education
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1748
Washington surveying team noted one of the earliest schools in Moorefield area Other events that happened on or around 1748 Fairfax established an office to sell land Moravian missionary reported the amount of Germans in Jefferson and Berkeley Counties Reported 200 people were living at Pearsall's Flats Levi Shinn was born George Washington described the Trough on the South Branch in his journal Thomas Walker explored Virginia's New River Valley Thomas Beall was born
1753
Records reveal schoolmasters employed in Romney and Greenbrier settlements Other events that happened on or around 1753 Settlements in the Allegheny Mountains began Frederick was divided into two counties Governor Dinwiddie sent George Washington to upper Ohio to warn French out of Ohio Valley Robert Files and David Tygart families first settled Beverly Christopher Gist took residence in western Pennsylvania Christopher Gist guided George Washington on his trip to warn the French away from English claimed land Kyashuta accompanied George Washington on his mission to warn the French to withdraw from their forts in the Ohio Valley Ulrich Conrad Sr. from Switzerland settled in Franklin Andrew Culbertson settled near present Hinton John Taylor was born The Potomac River flooded
1762
Shepherdstown had both German and English schools Other events that happened on or around 1762 Augustine Washington died
1778
Brooke Academy opened in trans-Allegheny Virginia Other events that happened on or around 1778 Matthew Arbuckle was active in raising the siege of Fort Donnally Company under Samuel Lewis left Fort Savannah to assist Fort Donnally John Stuart led a Company to defend the last attack on Fort Donnally in Lewisburg Dunmore, the southern end of Frederick County, was renamed Shenandoah Indians killed Jesse Hughes's father Mary Kinnan married Joseph Kinnan Charles Lee settled in Berkeley County Levi Shinn built a log house in Harrison County Adam Stephen's military career was ended at the Battle of Brandywine John Minear brought machinery for the first sawmill west of the Alleghenies Jacob Wetzel was captured by the Wyandots White Sulphur Springs were first reported
1796
An alderman system was authorized Other events that happened on or around 1796 Western Virginia land grant gave 200,000 acres of land to Bruen Richard Watson printed Christian Panoply, the first book printed in present West Virginia Joseph Ruffner purchased 502 acres of land at Campbells Creek John Dickinson conveyed a tract of 704 acres to Samuel and John Shrewsbury William Beauchamp settled in the area of present Elizabeth George, William and Alexander Clendenin sold Fort Lee to Joseph Ruffner Joseph Ruffner arrived in the Kanawha Valley Bishop Asbury again held sessions of the Greenbrier Conference at Rehoboth Church Construction began on a more substantial courthouse for Ohio County Walter Newman erected a hewn-log house at Point Pleasant which still stands today David Ruffner finally left old Virginia Thomas and Jonathan Buffington came to the mouth of the Guyandotte River to take possession of land William Ice and Aiden Bales pioneered Grant District, Wetzel County Obadiah Paden settle Paden City Ebenezer Zane blazed his trace to Maysville, Kentucky James Wood became governor of Virginia
1810
Virginia established a "Literary Fund" for support of education Other events that happened on or around 1810 First recorded permanent settler, Phillip Starcher of present Calhoun County The General Assembly recognized the new village of Guyandotte The Virginia Court of Appeals upheld David Hunter's claim to 739 acres of the former Fairfax lands The Bye-Stander was established in Clarksburg Newport was rechartered and named Parkersburg after Captain Parker. John Webster bought the property of John Bunnell and built the Old Stone House, in present Pennsboro, Ritchie County Thomas Buffington was instrumental in founding the town of Guyandotte Berkeley County had a water-powered textile industry Methodists organized their first church in Upshur County The Old Stone House at Belle was built by Samuel Shrewsbury The William Clark House was built The Potomac River flooded
1814
Linsly Institute in Wheeling was founded Other events that happened on or around 1814 Barboursville was designated the county seat of Cabell County Indian trail extended to Barboursville Dr. Eli Herman Moore was born in Brooke County Joel Shrewsbury and William Dickinson Sr. moved their salt business to the Kanawha Salines (Malden) The second complete publication of account from Lewis & Clark expedition published since Patrick Gass's in 1807 Felix Grundy resigned from Congress Joseph Johnson marched his company north to Norfolk The Charlestown Gazette was established in Wellsburg The first glass plant in West Virginia was built in Wellsburg The Summers family moved to Walnut Grove Tyler County was created
1818
Money was earmarked to pay tuition for poor white children to attend schools Other events that happened on or around 1818 Bens Run earthworks described in the journal of Thom Nuttall Commercial coal mining began The National Road, the first major highway in the region, was completed to Wheeling James Madison Jackson was born Jonathan Jackson and wife Julia Neale moved to Clarksburg Bishop James Madison's maps appeared Mail service on the unfinished National Road began to Wheeling The ferry to present Winfield was established The Runnion family arrived in Spencer George Summers moved to Charleston to live with Lewis Summers
1837
Marshall Academy (Marshall College, then Marshall University) was established Other events that happened on or around 1837 Exchange Bank of Virginia in Norfolk established Organ Cave described Cincinnati Gas and Electric Company formed by act of Ohio General Assembly Henry Harvey died in Buffalo Claude Crozet was reappointed as state engineer of Virginia St. John's Episcopal Church was established in Charleston Fayette County seat moved from New Haven to Vandalia (Fayetteville) Judge Isaac R. Douglas bought Happy Retreat David E. Jackson died Mary Harris "Mother" Jones was born in Ireland Daniel Lamb was admitted to the bar The Monongahela Navigation Company was formed to improve the river for navigation David Hunter Strother painted a portrait of Hunter John Myers from memory Samuel Price married Jane Stuart Mercer County was formed with Princeton as the county seat Alfred Beckley settled in Beckley with his family W.W. Fetterman built a saw mill in Valley Falls
1839
Baptist-affiliated Rector College opened in Western Virginia Other events that happened on or around 1839 The Glen Ferris Inn was first used as an inn The Ellicott brothers purchased the Jackson ironworks and the Henry Clay Furnace John Jacob moved to Romney after father's death The first museum at Grave Creek Mound opened The town of New Cumberland was laid out by John Cuppy Peter Tarr died Sistersville was incorporated James Stephenson was first elected to the House of Delegates The Tomlinson mansion was built Artist James E. Taylor was born in Cincinnati
1841
First conference concerning illiteracy under Governor Campbell was held at Clarksburg
1846
Legislation authorized school commissioners to use local taxes to supplement state aid for the poor Other events that happened on or around 1846 Ephraim G. Squier and Edwin H. Davis documented Salt Rock petroglyphs Heirs of Matthias Bruen of New York City inherited 200,000 acres of land The Point Pleasant lead plate left by Celeron was found by boy playing on riverbank Legislature allowed citizens to petition counties to establish free schools Joseph Diss Debar moved to Parkersburg William Edwards traveled to the Amazon River Salt production in the Kanawha Valley peaked at 3,244,786 bushels Weston's first newspaper began publishing Joseph Lightburn enlisted in the army as a private Alexander Martin served as principal of Kingwood Academy in Preston County Ephraim Squier and Edwin Davis conducted a survey of prehistoric mounds in the Mississippi and Ohio River valleys New Martinsville became the county seat of Wetzel County Jesse Reno graduated from West Point. The Christian Minstrel was published introducing a second system using seven shapes to teach singing Churches in Lewis, Upshur, Barbour, and Gilmer counties merged with those in Braxton County to form the Lewis or Buckhannon Circuit of the United Brethren The administration building at the School for Deaf and Blind was built
1850
Western Virginia had 1,300 primary schools 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 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 Census reported three slaves in Hancock County 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
1855
Rector College in Western Virginia was destroyed by fire Other events that happened on or around 1855 Gordon Battelle was appointed as the presiding elder of Clarksburg District of the Methodist Episcopal Church Bethany College forced to dismiss several abolitionists after political discussions were banned Arthur Boreman was elected as a Whig to the General Assembly Archibald Campbell graduated from Hamilton College Law School in New York Craig-Patton House became property of Col. George Smith Patton Rifled muskets were being built at the Harpers Ferry Armory Maurice Sullivan purchased land from John Gwinn on Irish Mountain Weston's first school was built Eight locks and dams were built on the Coal River William Rosecrans began working as superintendent of a cannel coal company in Kanawha County Samuel Tanner's log cabin was torn down in Spencer, Roane County Ralph Swinburn purchased land near Ruth Ammi B. Young designed the Wheeling Custom House.
1858
Weston College was chartered Other events that happened on or around 1858 Old Main campus construction began at Bethany College The Blue Sulphur Springs resort property was sold to the Western Virginia Baptist Association John Brown met in Chatham, Ontario, with supporters to plan for armed insurrection of slaves Martin Delany aided John Brown in convening the Chatham Convention Henry Gassaway Davis left the B&O Delta Tau Delta was founded at Bethany College Marshall College was established from Marshall Academy George Imboden was admitted to the bar Other mills were destroyed by floods on the Jug of the Middle Island Creek Margery Lewis Kenna moved her family to Missouri after the shooting of her husband General Assembly amended the act of incorporation Presbyterians established the Woodburn Female Seminary in Morgantown Z. D. Ramsdell relocated to Ceredo. The second courthouse at Ripley was built Robert Simmons had fathered nine children Spencer was chartered The Weston & Gauley Bridge Turnpike opened McDowell County seat was at Perryville Weston was chosen for the site of Virginia's third mental hospital Construction began on Weston State Hospital
1859
Weston College was sold at public auction Other events that happened on or around 1859 The African Methodist Episcopal Church aided slaves in Western Virginia after John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry Gordon Battelle moved to a church in Wheeling Charles James Faulkner Sr. was appointed minister to France by President Buchanan Alexander Boteler was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives as a Whig Boyds moved to 500 block of South Queen Street, Martinsburg Meshach Browning died First oil-producing well drilled in Pennsylvania Construction of stone-filled timber crib dams and timber-crib locks were completed on the Coal River Claude Crozet became principal of Richmond Academy Henry Koontz bought a 600-acre farm in Easton, near Morgantown Granville Davisson Hall moved to Wheeling Morris Harvey began his service as Fayette County sheriff George Imboden married Mary Franes Tyree Martin Robison Delany and 34 others met with John Brown in Canada to develop a provisional constitution for the liberated slaves Mother Jones began teaching in a convent school in Michigan George Latham was admitted to the bar Construction of Weston Hospital began A library company in Wheeling was chartered by Virginia Linsly Institute built a new three-story building Martin Delany wrote Blake: or, The Huts of America Daniel Lucas was admitted to the practice of law Michael J. Owens was born The Weston & Gauley Bridge Turnpike was completed The Greenbrier Historical Society begun Frederick Lemon sold the Ritchie Mines Nathan Scott travelled to Leavenworth Kansas Traveller took top prizes in the Lewisburg fair Only 94 of 162 state chartered turnpike companies operated within West Virginia The U.S. Customs House was built A new U.S. Custom House was completed at Wheeling Waitman Willey was defeated as a candidate for lieutenant governor of Virginia The three-story front section of Henderson Hall was completed
1860
Bethany College was the only institution of higher education in Western Virginia 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 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 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
1862
The first school for black children, Sumner School, opened in Parkersburg. 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 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 A Natural gas well was first drilled in Hancock County 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
1863
West Virginia constitution established public free school system Other events that happened on or around 1863 The first West Virginia legislature proposed to educate "free colored children," the proposal was left unfunded. The decision to have Attorney General elected by popular vote was made B&O Railroad's management influenced people to support West Virginia statehood Union troops shelled the town of Beckley, killing a little girl Virginia's land and water boundaries given to West Virginia Civil War skirmish at Bulltown Historic Area River pirate John Lockwood arrest and tried for murder Rutherford B. Hayes and William McKinley were commissioned first lieutenants at Camp Piatt Melodrama East Lynne written West Virginia experimented with New England modified township system William Edwards opened mines at Coalburg West Virginia's first election was conducted Stephen Elkins left the army Constitution stated that the "executive department shall consist of a governor, secretary of state, superintendent of free schools, auditor, treasurer and attorney general." Construction of Fort Boreman began Frederick County citizens voted not to become part of West Virginia John Hale organized the Bank of the West Harrison County was first in West Virginia in the production of beef cattle Devil Anse Hatfield deserted the regular Virginia infantry in the Civil War The state constitution stated that Delegates of the House of Delegates served one-year terms Chester Hubbard became a member of the first West Virginia senate John Jay Jackson Sr supported the move for the creation of a separate state but opposed the abolition of slavery Mudwall Jackson led troops against Union Gen. Thomas Harris The presence of the B&O influenced the decision to include Jefferson County in the new state The state constitution adopted Virginia common law and statutes as the law of West Virginia Daniel Lamb was a member of the first West Virginia legislature West Virginia state government resumed the project for Weston Hospital The Marshall College property was sold at public auction to Salina Hite Mason The Methodist Church claimed the largest number of congregation in West Virginia Reported 250 newspapers had been established Editors changed their mastheads to reflect the name of the new state Hiram Clay first settled in what is know Pineville. Samuel Price was elected lieutenant governor of Confederate Virginia. Beckley was bombarded by federal artillery. The first period of Republican dominance began Mrs. Henry Woods wrote East Lynne The first free school opened in Ripley Lewis Ruffner was appointed a major general of militia for West Virginia Nathan Scott enlisted in the Union army in Ohio The Supreme Court of Appeals sat at Wheeling with three justices Thurmond's Rangers became 44th Virginia Cavalry Battalion Campbell Tarr became West Virginia's first state treasurer The repayment to the state of Virginia was included in the West Virginia constitution Legislature gave official sanction to teachers organization All turnpikes in West Virginia were turned over to the counties through which they ran The name was changed to West Virginia Hospital for the Insane Kellian Whaley was reelected to Congress from West Virginia Confederate forces reoccupied Lewisburg Waitman Willey began serving as U.S. Senator from West Virginia Wirt County was divided into 7 districts Fort Boreman was constructed in Wood County
1864
Allegheny College was burned by Union troops 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 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 Natural gas was used to produce carbon black for printing ink 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
1865
The state superintendent called a state convention of teachers to meet in Fairmont, founding the West Virginia Education Association Other events that happened on or around 1865 Virginia legislature repealed laws consenting to the admission of Berkeley and Jefferson counties to West Virginia Storer College in Harpers Ferry, begun by the Freewill Baptist Church, to educate black teachers Ratification of 13th Amendment by West Virginia John Appleton moved to Kanawha County 13 Banks had become national banks The Baptist General Association of West Virginia (West Virginia Baptist Convention) formed Rosser's Raid occurred on Beverly Belle Boyd wrote Belle Boyd in Camp and Prison in London Waitman T. Willey senate term as first West Virginia senator ended Provision included in Constitution of 1851 calling for the General Assembly to reapportion representation in both houses John Dickinson came to Kanawha County Anne Dudley arrived in West Virginia to teach freed blacks Fairmont State University was formed as West Virginia's first private normal school Aretas Fleming married Carrie M. Watson Joseph Diss Debar appointed an agent in southern Germany Nathan Goff married Laura E. Despard Grafton National Cemetery was established for Civil War dead The Easton Roller Mill replaced overshot water wheel Reckart's Mill was built in Preston county Visitor stated about Harpers Ferry, "all about the town are rubbish, filth, and stench." Chester Hubbard began serving in the U.S. House of Representatives John Jacob returned to Romney George Latham served as congressman for the Second District of West Virginia Joseph Lightburn returned to duty after being wounded in Sherman's advance on Atlanta The Logan Wildcats were active in the Shenandoah Valley campaign The city of Boone Court House changed its name to Madison Booker T. Washington arrived in Malden with his family to work in the salt industry and local coal mines Two additional dams were built on the Monongahela River The army recruiting and training center at Camp Carlisle ceased The Campbell's Creek Coal Company began shipping coal down the Kanawha River from Port Amherst Samuel Price was appointed circuit judge in Lewisburg but declined to take office A narrow-gauge railroad was built to Ritchie Mines Ritchie Mines was bought Union authorities moved Jefferson County seat from Charles Town to Shepherdstown The Wheeling interurban system began operation The National Banking Act was amended to allow state banks to become national banks Jim Vance was suspected in the murder of Harmon McCoy The formal organizing of Webster County took place
1866
Private school for black children, in Parkersburg, was converted to a public school Other events that happened on or around 1866 There were 250 churches in West Virginia Capt. John M. Burns established a sawmill at Burnsville Jefferson and Berkeley confirmed as West Virginia by U.S. Congress Henry Gassaway Davis received charter to build the West Virginia Central and Pittsburgh Railway Dickinson-Shrewsbury partnership dissolved by the courts after partners died J. N. Boyd began publication of Vedette in Fairmont Three men were hanged on the "hanging tree" at Fort Boreman Freedmen's Bureau began operation in West Virginia Grantsville was laid out Grant County was formed from Hardy County Morris Harvey and brother-in-law received a land grant from West Virginia of 1,000 acres on the west side of New River The Radical-dominated legislature enacted the Voters' Registration Law John Joseph Kain was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Richmond The Buckhannon home of George Latham was purchased A new shop complex was built in Martinsburg, with roundhouse Elizabethtown and Moundsville were consolidated under Moundsville Free schools were established in Moundsville The multiflora rose was introduced to the eastern U.S. as rootstock for ornamental roses The North Bend superintendent's residence was built by Christopher Douglas Samuel Price became a director of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad. George Lemon died Sumner School became West Virginia's earliest black public school H.M. Calhoun was born Samuel W. Starks was born in Charleston Sumner School became a part of the segregated public school system Ceredo was incorporated The West Virginia Central & Pittsburg Railway was chartered under the name of the Potomac & Piedmont Coal & Railroad Company Archibald Campbell left the Wheeling Intelligencer William H. Davis became a teacher for Malden’s Black children
Feb 27, 1867
The legislature established the West Virginia State Normal School at Marshall
1869
Fairmont State Regency normal was renamed the Fairmont Branch Normal (Fairmont State University) Other events that happened on or around 1869 West Virginia had 40,000 farms in 8.6 million acres Split between the Northern and Southern Baptists mended Belle Boyd married again to John Swainston Second governor of West Virginia, Daniel D.T. Farnsworh lived in Buckhannon Johnson Newlon Camden entered the refining business at Parkersburg Coke replaced anthracite as the leading blast furnace fuel in America Peter G. Van Winkle term as West Virginia's first U.S. senator ended Trinity Church in Huntington held its first services at Cabell County Courthouse West Virginia passed its first game laws The survival of the White Sulphur Springs resort was ensured by the arrival of the C&O Railway Cooper's Mill was built in Summers County Helvetia was settled by German-speaking Swiss immigrants George Imboden married Angi M. Dickinson The Kanawha Valley Bank built a two-story bank at the intersection of Kanawha Blvd and Capitol St in Charleston James Kay migrated to America Another boundary shift occurred in Lincoln County Stogie makers were among the first trades in Wheeling to unionize The C&O railway had begun construction in Milton Johnson Newlon Camden established one of the country's first oil refineries in Parkersburg. George Peterkin was ordained as an Episcopal priest. A Chesapeake & Ohio Railway branch was completed into Greenbrier County An arsonist burned the Preston County courthouse destroying most of the county records from 1818-69 Spring Hill Cemetery was dedicated as the Charleston municipal cemetery Edward W. Stifel Sr. was born The Laurel Fork & Sand Hill Railroad was constructed in Volcano The first West Virginia Historical Society began The West Virginia Press Association was formed Emanuel Wilson was admitted to the bar Susan Dew married James Hoff
Dec 26, 1872
New constitution expanded support of public education Other events that happened on or around December 26, 1872 Legislature passed West Virginia's first general banking law The present building of Malden's African Zion Baptist Church began after contributions of land, money and materials by Gen. Lewis Ruffner West Virginia's new constitution continued the education of black children in segregation Blacks began forming groups in response to inequality. Commissioners in McDowell County ordered a new courthouse be constructed out of logs Joseph Beury and wife moved to New River Alexander Boteler ran unsuccessfully for Congress Brickyard Bend (New Cumberland) shipped 11 million bricks via Ohio River West Virginia's new constitution abandons the township system and reverts back to the Virginia county government system Democrats gained political supremacy after voting restrictions on former Confederates ceased Joseph Diss Debar supported the Liberal Republicans to come to terms with the ex-Confederates Anne Dudley toured New England with Harpers Ferry Singers to raise funds for Myrtle Hall New constitution changed elections to two-year cycle Secretary of State was made an appointed office Provisions of the Flick Amendment was added to the state constitution John P. Hale purchased Fort Lee's original lot and blockhouse in Charleston Glenville State College began as branch of the State Normal School Noah Speer started the Hancock Works The second courthouse was completed in Glenville Vote by citizens brought the Grant County seat permanently to Petersburg John Hale built the Hale House hotel in Charleston Legislature faced the task of modifying laws to conform to the newly adopted constitution West Virginia Legislature grew to 89 persons Weston's first public school building was erected The McDowell County seat was located at Peeryville (now English) The town of Milton was laid out The hamlet of Mud in Lincoln County, an unincorporated community, said to have been founded Construction began on more refineries in Parkersburg Normal schools were established in Glenville, Athens, and Shepherdstown Pence Springs was developed as a resort. In Charleston, the Presbyterian Church (Southern) and the Kanawha Presbyterian Church (Northern) split. Voters in Greenbrier Country elected Samuel Price as their representative to the West Virginia constitutional convention. Legislature designated Shepherd as one of the state's normal schools Robert Simmons was a delegate to the Republican national convention The cave at Sinks of Gandy was described by David Hunter Strother The Universalist Meeting House at Fork Ridge in Marshall County erected an additional larger building Charles Ward began operating his own pipe and fittings business The Western Maryland Railway extended to Hagerstown I.C. White earned an undergraduate degree at Agricultural College of West Virginia (WVU) Waitman Willey spoke eloquently for suffrage for African-Americans
1882
West Virginia adopted a minimum salary law for teachers Other events that happened on or around 1882 First women served on faculty at Bethany College Norfolk & Western Railway located its Pocahontas Division headquarters in Bluefield Chesapeake & Ohio Railway line constructed from Richmond to Tidewater at Newport News J. R. Clifford founded, edited, and published the Pioneer Press Coal River locks and dams abandoned M. Lizzie Dickey, one of the first women to hold a high post in education, left as acting principal at what is now known as Fairmont State University Law was passed prohibiting the hunting, chasing or wounding of deer between January 15 and September 1 The Old German Baptist Brethren sect was founded The Hatfield and McCoy Feud began Milton Humphreys was elected president of the American Philological Association Welded-steel pipe was first introduced to Wheeling Jacob Jackson called the legislature into special session to re-codify the state's laws John Quincy Dickinson became president of Kanawha Valley Bank after William Dickinson's death James Miller became superintendent of Summers County School James Miller married Jane Tompkins Miller The Smithsonian Institution established the Division of Mound Studies The Ohio Valley Trades and Labor Assembly was founded in Aetnaville, Ohio The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad decided to extend down the Ohio from Wheeling to Parkersburg. J.W.M Appleton revived the Salt Sulphur Springs resort Henry Schmulbach purchased the Nail City Brewery Telephone switchboards were installed in Parkersburg The West Virginia Classical and Normal Academy was established in Upshur County Wayne was incorporated as Fairview William Wilson was selected as president of WVU
1891
Alexander L. Wade's education graduating system was made compulsory statewide Other events that happened on or around 1891 State Board of Agriculture set up by legislature Legislature created a state banking department There were 49 state banks and 22 national banks in West Virginia Collection of Ambrose Bierce's Civil War stories, Tales of Soldiers and Civilians (also known as In the Midst of Life) was published Fannie Cobb Carter earned teaching degree from Storer College in Harpers Ferry WVU Mountaineers played first football game against University of Pittsburgh First bridge built across the Kanawha River, in Charleston Clarksburg investors acquired the Telegram First principal of present Concord University Capt. James Harvey French died James Dye graduated from Starling Medical College in Cincinnati William Dawson became chairman of Republican state committee Stephen Elkins was appointed secretary of war by President Harrison George Peterkin built the Church of the Good Shepherd in Parkersburg Town of Ansted was incorporated, named for David T. Ansted The Central City brewery was built by American Brewing Company Fostoria Glass Company relocated to Moundsville Construction on Graceland began in Elkins John P. Hale wrote History of the Great Kanawha Valley Hamilton Hatter became a member of the college board of trustees George Imboden was elected the first mayor of Ansted The "Australian" or standardized printed ballot was adopted in West Virginia Paris Brumfield was murdered by his son Charley in the wake of the Lincoln County Feud The "government lock" was built on Little Kanawha River near Burning Springs The federal government built a fifth lock and dam near burning springs The Moundsville Daily Echo was established as a weekly newspaper C. F. Millspaugh arrived at WVU The Mount Carbon Prehistoric Site was investigated by Col. P. W. Norris for the Smithsonian Institution's Bureau of American Ethnology John T. McGraw purchased the land at Marlinton. Pruntytown was originally established as the Industrial School for Boys Pruntytown was originally established as the Industrial School for Boys. Postmaster General John Wanamaker conducted a limited experiment with rural free delivery in the Eastern Panhandle Labor organization lobbied for the law regulating scrip The Seneca Glass Company opened in Fostoria, Ohio James David Shaw became editor of the Moundsville Daily Echo Telephone switchboards were installed at Clarksburg The Martinsburg Mining, Manufacturing and Improvement Company developed a subdivision for workers McDowell County seat located to Welch The Norfolk & Western Railway Company extended its line into McDowell County The Historical Society asked the West Virginia legislature for funding Harriet Lyon became the first woman to receive a degree from WVU The Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway was completed to Martin's Ferry Ohio Emanuel Wilson authored a new election law
1892
The first students enrolled at West Virginia Colored Institute (now West Virginia State University) Other events that happened on or around 1892 The Pocahontas Times was moved to Marlinton.
1893
Legislature provided for two levels of teacher certificates Other events that happened on or around 1893 Robert A. Spencer acquired the paper and renamed in the Raleigh Register. Bluefield had two newspapers, the Bluefield Telegraph and the Daily Journal The Journal ceased daily publication F.R. Swann began published Charleston Evening Mail Clarence Wayland Watson founded the Briar Hill Coal Company Justus Collins opened Collins Colliery and the Greenbrier Coal & Coke William Conley earned a law degree from WVU John Dickinson moved to Charleston from Malden Samuel Dixon and partner organized the MacDonald mine The first Douglass High School graduated its first high school class Aretas Fleming returned to practicing law Henry Harrison Hunter won blue ribbon at World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago for quality of sand he mined and processed Graceland was completed The Great Bend Tunnel was lined with brick arching Joseph Harvey Long arrived in Huntington to buy the Herald John Jeremiah Jacob died and was buried in Indian Mound Cemetery Chicago World's Fair has a West Virginia state exhibit John Joseph Kain left the Diocese of Wheeling to become Archbishop of St. Louis John Q. Dickinson moved Kanawha Valley Bank into a substantial new building Virgil Lewis was awarded an M.A. in history from WVU The N&W Railroad built its main line along the Big Sandy River Joseph Long moved to Huntington to buy the Herald Daniel Lucas left the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals Uncle Jack McElwain won a fiddle contest at the Chicago World's Fair Bill McKell built his home at Glen Jean Johnson Camden McKinley moved to Wheeling C. F. Millspaugh left WVU to become curator of botany at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago High-quality semibitumious coal from Davis' Big Vein was displayed at the Chicago World's Fair Sistersville became the nation's premier oil-field boom town Henry Schmulbach opened his Wheeling inclined railway to riders William Edwin Chilton became secretary of sate Pittsburgh's William Flaccus and Son bought a tannery along the Buckhannon River Telephone switchboards were installed at Bluefield The city of Parsons was incorporated Charles Ward's boilers were showcased at the Chicago World's Fair Ward Engineering Works built the Mascot for the U.S. Engineering Corp Clarence W. Watson joined his father and brothers in the mining enterprises Chitwood Hall was completed at WVU The earliest Whipple Company Store was constructed in Glen Jean for Collins Colliery Company The country began an economic depression The Woodson family moved to Huntington
1903
Legislature enacted a uniform teachers' examination law Other events that happened on or around 1903 Barger Springs property purchased by company of 30 investors Ambrose Bierce returned to Randolph and Pocahontas counties to revisit locations where he had served in the Civil War The town of Bretz and the mining plant were built by West Virginia Coal Company Camden Park was established Col. E. G. Via became park manager Annex was built across from State Capitol Construction on the new section of the Coal & Coke Railway began Grover Lewis was born in Alabama John Harrington Cox received appointment in English Department of WVU William Edwards produced a book of Edwards family genealogy Fairmont Coal Company was absorbed into Consolidation Coal Company of Maryland William Glasscock was admitted to the bar The Coal & Coke Railroad was completed from Elkins to Durbin. A junction was made at Durbin with the C&O and the Coal & Iron railroads Capt. Greene built the side-wheel packet Greenland Harrison County was fourth in the state in total tons of coal produced A compulsory attendance law was enacted The Homer Laughlin Company traded factories with the National China Company The House of Delegates grew to 86 delegates Teddy Weatherford was born in Bluefield Herman Kump attended the University of Virginia law school Carnegie library was established in Huntington Reported 63% of McKendree Hospital's patients were miners Local businessmen bought the Fairmont Electric Light and Power Plant The Morgantown Glass Works employed more than 400 people Oak Hill was incorporated The Owens bottle-making machine was invented by Michael Owens President Theodore Roosevelt appointed Christopher Payne as consul general to the Danish West Indies The Barbour County courthouse was constructed at Philippi Melville Davisson Post married Ann Bloomfield Gamble Schoolfield The West Virginia death rate from smallpox was reported as being from 12 to 20 percent of reported cases A new wing was added to St. Joseph's Hospital John G. Knutti became administrator of Shepherd College The Pope Dock Company built the Eisenbarth Henderson Floating Theater-The New Great Modern Temple of Amusement The Parkersburg & Marrietta Interurban was built An interurban railway line was built from Sistersville to New Martinsville The Parkersburg & Ohio Valley Electric Railway was built T. C. Townsend opened a law office in Fayettesville The USS Huntington was constructed at Newport News The West Virginia State Federation of Labor was founded Carter Woodson accepted an administrative and teaching assignment in the Philippines Zane Grey wrote Betty Zane Paul Wissmach and Joseph Reininger began to manufacture stained glass as the Empire Glass Company in Paden City T. G. Nutter opened a law office in Charleston
1907
State property levy was eliminated 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 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 City of Chester was incorporated 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
1910
West Virginia schools had fallen behind national averages 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 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 Morgantown population rose to 9,150 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
1925
Reported 233 high school were open in the state Other events that happened on or around 1925 Izetta Brown married Hugh Miller Everett Ferguson acquired Browns Island in its entirety Fannie Cobb Carter's husband Emory Carter died Union Carbide moved to Rollin Chemical site in So. Charleston John Harrington Cox's dissertation published as Cox presided over founding of West Virginia Folklore Society Folk-Songs of the South by Harvard Univ. Press Levi Dean built the Ricketts house in Huntington Henry Davis Hazelwood was appointed the principal of Douglass High School Dreamland pool in Kenova opened as a private business DuPont built the Belle plant Alpha Psi Omega, an international collegiate honor society for drama students, was founded at Fairmont State College (now Fairmont State University) West Virginia Farm Bureau Service Company was organized Stage Struck starring Gloria Swanson was filmed in New Martinsville A fire destroyed nearly all of the Greenbrier Military School's buildings John Harrington Cox documented nine version of "John Hardy," confusing Hardy and Henry as the same person in Folk-Songs of the South Federal board unveiled national system of interstate routes and uniform highway signs The Itmann Company Store opened John L. Dickinson became president of Kanawha Valley Bank after the death of John Q. Dickinson Kanawha Valley Hospital bought the Barber Sanatorium and Hospital facility Tom Kromer first attended Marshall College Jean Lee Latham graduated from West Virginia Wesleyan College A new building on Linsly's campus was built Pare Lorentz moved to New York Minnie Lowther wrote Marshall Hall The "Thundering Herd" nickname was first used after Marshall defeated Glenville State Jacob Marcus received his Ph.D. from the University of Berlin The Governor's Mansion was completed John Matheus' short story "Fog" won first place in the Opportunity magazine short story contest Bernard McDonough left Georgetown University Howard B. Lee became attorney general Governor Morgan pardoned John Wilburn Morgantown citizens made a failed attempt to remove Zackquill Morgan's remains from Prickett's Fort to his hometown of Morgantown The first Mountaineer Field was completed William Page Pitt graduated from Muskingum College Pocahontas Coal & Coke Company moved to Bluefield William Revercomb married Sara Hughes A scrip law was written by coal company lobbyists making scrip non-transferable The Sistersville to New Martinsville streetcar line ceased operation Dial service was introduced in Huntington The United Carbon Company was formed Berkerly Countian Benjamin Snyder built his home reflecting aspects of the Sears, Roebuck and Company's Sheridan house The Virginian Railway began electrification of its trains Only 134 students were enrolled at West Liberty State Normal School (now West Liberty University) Legislature created another West Virginia Historical Society with an appointive body Legislation passed to have the state historian and archivist to publish a quarterly history magazine A new administration building was completed at West Virginia Collegiate Institute (now West Virginia State University) The Greek fraternal system replace earlier literary societies at West Virginia Wesleyan College Whitaker-Glessner subsidiary, the Principio Company ceased production of pig and bar iron in Maryland T. G. Nutter lobbied against the Charleston premiere of D.W. Griffith’s Birth of a Nation
Nov 08, 1932
The Tax Limitation Amendment was passed by voters Other events that happened on or around November 08, 1932 Edgar B. Sims of Harrison County was elected state auditor Richard E. Talbott was elected state treasurer Rimfire Hamrick ran unsuccessfully for legislature as Republican Homer Holt was elected state attorney general John Kee was first elected to Congress Harley Kilgore was elected judge of the Criminal Court for Raleigh County Herman Kump successfully ran for governor Jennings Randolph ran for Congress again and defeated Bowman Democrats took over West Virginia with support from active federal government T. C. Townsend ran unsuccessfully for governor Richard Talbott was elected state treasurer
1933
County unit plan for school systems was adopted Other events that happened on or around 1933 West Virginia counties had to reduce term length Doddridge County High School was created The flat-spired three-toothed land snail was discovered Legislature established the Conservation Commission The Greenbrier College for Women was chartered as Greenbrier College Perry Gresham received a bachelor of divinity degree from Texas Christian University West Virginia erected a replica cabin and stone memorial at the birthplace of Nancy Hanks A great trial was held against the contractor of the Hawks Nest Tunnel by those who contracted silicosis Legislative act put every public road in West Virginia under direct state control The Democrats regained control of the governorship Charles Hodel was instrumental in developing the Beckley-Mount Hope Airport The radical West Virginia Mine Workers Union and the West Virginia Labor Party both collapsed Act replaced game protectors with conservation officers The West Virginia World's Fair exhibit was housed at Jackson's Mill The Charles Town Racetrack opened in Jefferson County Frances Benjamin Johnston began photographing early architecture of the American South William C. Kelly died Kumbrabow State Forest was created in response to the Civilian Conservation Corps Act The National Industrial Recovery Act guaranteed workers the right to collective bargaining and outlawed yellow-dog contracts Democrats took control of the West Virginia Senate The progressive Roosevelt administration secured passage of the National Industrial Recovery Act Melvin Goins was born Pare Lorentz conceived, edited and published The Roosevelt Year, 1933 West Virginia acquired the land for Lost River State Park Master Marble and Bridgeport Marble exhibited millions of marbles at the World's Fair in Chicago The Gallipolis Locks and Dam began construction The Civilian Conservation Corps first became active in Monongahela National Forest Prohibition ends Cacapon State Park was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps The National Recovery Administration was created with the passing of the National Industrial Recovery Ac Legislation passed establishing the Conservation Commission of West Virginia Camp Woodbine and Camp Cranberry were established by Civilian Conservation Corps in Richwood Ruth Rohde served as U.S. Minister to Denmark Eleanor Roosevelt convinced FDR to use congressionally approved federal funds to establish the first national subsistence homestead in Arthurdale Lynnside Manor, Monroe County, the traditional home of the Lewis family, burned down William Smith O'Brien became West Virginia secretary of state H. M. Calhoun died Buddy Starcher became popular performer at WCHS Charleston State Police field structure shrank to two companies State Police Criminal Investigation Bureau was organized Mel Moore and Billy Long led a strike at Weirton Steel Employees bought the Wheeling Traction Company and re-named it Cooperative Transit Company Festus Summers finished his doctorate at WVU The Braxton Democrat newspaper in Sutton compiled and reprinted the Wm. Byrne tales of Elk River West Virginia property tax revenue was at $27 million Fred Torrey created the "Lincoln Walks at Midnight" sculpture W. W. Trent became superintendent of Schools UMWA unionized the West Virginia coalfields Camp Watoga was created by the Civilian Conservation Corps Fred E. Brooks died WOBU changed to WCHS WCHS stopped sharing time with WSAZ in Huntington Wheeling Bank & Trust Company merged with Dollar Saving & Trust to form the Wheeling Dollar Saving & Trust Company The Athenaeum became the Daily Athenaeum Clyde O. Law became board chairman of West Virginia Wesleyan College The WWVA's Wheeling Jamboree country music show began A new central portion of Wheeling Hospital was constructed WHIS increased to 250 watts A strike at Widen occurred The Coal House was built in Williamson of bituminous coal Edwin S. Maclin became president of West Virginia Institute of Technology
1939
All counties had a nine-month school term
1947
Legislature created a nine-member non-partisan state Board of Education Other events that happened on or around 1947 Legislature appropriated funds for the West Virginia Turnpike Legislature increased education funding by more than two-thirds
May 17, 1954
U.S. Supreme Court ruled segregated schools unconstitutional in Brown v. Board of Education
1958
State superintendent of schools became a Board of Education appointee Other events that happened on or around 1958 Reorganization changed name from AG&E back to Appalachian Power Leroy Allen became president of Bluefield State College (now University) Ruby Bradley became a colonel Elk River Coal & Lumber Company was sold to Clinchfield Coal Company Clarksburg Park Board developed Buffalo Lake into a public recreation area Dale Brooks released "The Ambridge Boogie" on Cozy Records Phyllis Curtin sang Susannah at the Brussels World's Fair Phyllis Curtin sang with the Charleston Symphony Opera Ellis Dungan returned to the Ohio Valley, settling in Wheeling National Radio Quiet Zone surrounding Green Bank observatory was established by the Federal Communications Commission Jack Fleming became announcer for the Pittsburgh Steelers Follansbee rolling and annealing facilities were sold to Wheeling Steel "Biggie" Goldberg was elected to the NFL Hall of Fame and the West Virginia Sports Writers Hall of Fame Davis Grubb wrote The Watchman Alberta Pierson Hannum wrote Paint the Wind Chuck Howley was drafted by the Chicago Bears The school year was interrupted by an anti-integration school bombing at Osage near Morgantown A new dormitory was constructed at Marshall College (now University) The need for local graduate education was articulated by officials at Union Carbide Corporation and other Kanawha Valley chemical concerns, and Kanawha Valley Graduate Center was founded John Matheus retired from West Virginia State College (now University) Jack Maurice won the Sigma Delta Chi award for editorial writing The McClain Printing Company was incorporated McClain Printing Company published its first book, Chronicles of Border Warfare by Alexander Scott Withers Mildred Mitchell-Bateman became superintendent of the Lakin State Hospital Moncove Public Hunting and Fishing area was purchased by the West Virginia Conservation Commission Ohio Valley Speedway was built Construction on the National Radio Astronomy Observatory began at Green Bank Marble King Factory moved to Paden City Jennings Randolph flew from Morgantown to Washington on a plane fueled with gasoline made from West Virginia coal William Revercomb left U.S. Senate, defeated by Robert C. Byrd Leonard Riggleman led Morris Harvey to accreditation Fred Schaus guided WVU's basketball team to a No. 1 national ranking at the end of the regular season Festus Summers co-authored with Charles Ambler the second edition of West Virginia: The Mountain State Morris Harvey College (now University of Charleston) was accredited by the North Central Accreditation Agency Jerry West played on the WVU team that finished No.1 in the nation Jerry West was a second-team All-American in basketball West Virginia Yesterday and Today was adopted as a state textbook The West Virginia turnpike was included in the Interstate highway system A water ski show moved from Tennessee to Hinton Aunt Jennie Wilson was discovered by Patrick Gainer Elizabeth Gilmore helped organize the Charleston chapter of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE)
1969
Legislature created two governing bodies for education Other events that happened on or around 1969 Jimi Hendrix asked Billy Cox to replace Noel Redding in the Jimi Hendrix Experience
1973
Public kindergartens were mandated Other events that happened on or around 1973 Muriel Dressler published first collection of poetry, Appalachia, My Land The federal Endangered Species act was passed Reynolds Memorial Hospital was given to the community Pete Everest retired from the Air Force Clyde Ware filmed When the Line Goes Through Denise Giardina received a B.A. from West Virginia Wesleyan Tom Screven helped launch the Hearth and Fair magazine Governor Moore proclaimed West Virginia's first observance of Grandparents Day The Overseas National Airway changed the name of the Greene Line to the Delta Queen Steamboat Co. Hal Greer retired from basketball Research was published tracing the origin of some West Virginia Guinea families to specific biracial and triracial unions A study of the Hammons family resulted in a double recording from the Library of Congress and a Rounder Records release
May 11, 1982
Judge Arthur Recht ruled that West Virginia schools fell short of meeting standards and that the funding system caused unequal educational opportunities from county to county
1989
The School Building Authority was created Other events that happened on or around 1989 West Virginia Folk Art Apprenticeship Program established by Augusta Clerk Darrell E. Holmes took over the as editor of the Blue Book Buffalo Historical Society was formed Construction began on a surgery suite addition at Cabell Huntington Hospital Gale Catlett named Coach of the Year by Eastern Basketball magazine Pine Run School moved to Cedar Creek State Park Cheat Mountain salamander placed on the federal threatened species list Stephen Coonts wrote The Minotaur Ellis Dungan received the Lifetime Achievement Award by the West Virginia International Film Festival Robert Atkinson took semi-retirement as bishop of the Episcopal Church Mark Samels released Forks of Cheat Salem College was bought by Japanese interests and became Salem-Teikyo University (later Salem International University) The Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) was created Homer Hickam published his first book, Torpedo Junction
Feb 22, 2018
West Virginia teachers and school personnel in all 55 counties went on strike, protesting low pay and cuts to insurance and other benefits Other events that happened on or around February 22, 2018 Teachers unions announced a statewide strike for February 22-23
Mar 06, 2018
West Virginia teachers and school personnel from all 55 counties ended their nine-day strike after gaining concessions from the governor and legislature Other events that happened on or around March 06, 2018 The governor and the legislature agreed to a five percent raise for teachers and school service personnel, and for all state workers View Articles by Existing Key Dates or Specify Your Own Date Range |
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