History of West Virginia, USA

In 1776, a group of residents asked the Continental Congress to create a 14th colony called Westylvania, including parts of West Virginia and surrounding areas; the plea was ignored.

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1841 - First commercial use of natural gas, in Malden, West Virginia

In 1841, a significant milestone in energy history occurred with the first commercial use of natural gas in Malden, West Virginia. This event marked the beginning of a new era in energy utilization, demonstrating the practical application of natural gas beyond its known existence. Natural gas had long been observed seeping from the ground in various regions, including the Appalachian Mountains, where Malden is situated. However, it was not until 1841 that local businessman David Melville capitalized on this natural resource by piping it to nearby homes and businesses.

Melville's initiative in Malden laid the groundwork for the development of natural gas distribution systems that would later become integral to urban infrastructure across the United States and globally. The use of natural gas provided a cleaner and more efficient alternative to traditional fuels like wood and coal, revolutionizing heating and lighting systems.
The World Almanac of the U.S.A, by Allan Carpenter and Carl Provorse, 1996

1862 - December 31 – American Civil War: President Abraham Lincoln signs an act that admits West Virginia to the Union, thus dividing Virginia into two.

In 1862, amidst the turmoil of the American Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln signed an act that paved the way for the creation of West Virginia as the 35th state of the Union. This act was significant as it effectively divided the state of Virginia into two separate entities. The western counties of Virginia had long felt marginalized and economically distinct from the eastern part, which was predominantly agricultural and reliant on slave labor.

The decision to admit West Virginia into the Union was controversial and complex, reflecting the deep divisions within the nation during the Civil War. The western counties, largely pro-Union and opposed to secession, had broken away from Virginia and sought recognition as a separate state. Lincoln's approval of West Virginia's statehood was seen as a strategic move to bolster the Union cause, as the new state would provide additional support and resources for the Northern war effort.
December 31, 1862

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1863 - West Virginia was admitted to the Union - June 20, 1863
On June 20, 1863, West Virginia officially joined the United States as the 35th state, marking a significant milestone in American history. Its admission was unique and born out of the tumultuous period of the Civil War. West Virginia's statehood was a result of the western counties of Virginia breaking away from the Confederacy and aligning with the Union during the war. This split was driven by stark cultural, economic, and political differences between the mountainous, largely pro-Union western region and the slaveholding, pro-Confederate eastern part of Virginia.

The process of West Virginia's admission was complex and involved political maneuvering, constitutional conventions, and the approval of both the Union Congress and President Abraham Lincoln. The state's establishment not only contributed to the Union's military and strategic advantages but also reflected the broader tensions and realignments that defined the Civil War era.

1870s - Industrial expansion in West Virginia attracted Black immigrants from southern states and European immigrants from overseas.

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1884 - First U.S. golf course opens in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia

The World Almanac of the U.S.A, by Allan Carpenter and Carl Provorse, 1996

1895 - West Virginia
West Virginia, an E. central state of the American Union, lying in the Appalachian region, and bounded N. by Pennsylvania and Maryland, E. by Pennsylvania and Maryland, S.E. by Virginia, S.W. by Virginia and Kentucky, and N.W., by Ohio. Area, 24,780 square miles. It is very irregular in outline, and sends out to the morthward a narrow point between Ohio and Pennsylvania, known as the Panhandle. From Ohio it is separated by the Ohio River, from Kentucky by the Sandy and its Tug Fork, from Maryland for the most part by the Potomac, and from Virginia by a series of mountain-ranges...

The Principal Towns and Cities are wheeling, the principal seat of commerce and manufactures (pop. in 1880, 30,737; in 1890, 34,522); the Ohio River towns of Huntington (pop. 1890, 10,108), Parkersburg (8408), and Moundsville (2688); and the interior towns of Charleston, the capital (6742), Grafton (3159), Clarksburg (3008), Ben: wood (2934), Hinton (2570), New Cumberland (2305), Charlestown (2287),... Read MORE...

1907 - December 6 – Monongah Mining disaster: A coal mine explosion kills 362 workers in Monongah, West Virginia
On December 6, 1907, the Monongah Mining disaster shook the small town of Monongah, West Virginia, and reverberated across the nation as one of the deadliest industrial accidents in American history. The tragedy unfolded when an underground explosion ripped through the Fairmont Coal Company's No. 6 and No. 8 mines, instantly claiming the lives of 362 miners, many of whom were immigrants from Europe. The exact cause of the explosion was never definitively determined, but it was likely ignited by a buildup of methane gas or coal dust, exacerbated by poor ventilation and safety standards common in the mining industry at the time.
December 6, 1907

1917-1918 - World War I - over 58,053 men and women from West Virginia serve during the war.

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1921 - On July 1, 1921, West Virginia was the first state to have a sales tax.
The implementation of a sales tax in West Virginia in 1921 marked a significant milestone in American fiscal policy. Prior to this, states primarily relied on property taxes and tariffs for revenue, but the economic pressures following World War I prompted states to explore new sources of income. West Virginia, facing budgetary challenges exacerbated by post-war inflation, pioneered the introduction of a sales tax as a means to diversify revenue streams and stabilize its finances.

The sales tax introduced in West Virginia was a novel approach at the time, aiming to distribute the tax burden more broadly across consumers rather than solely on property owners. This move set a precedent for other states grappling with similar economic uncertainties, ultimately influencing the adoption of sales taxes nationwide in the following decades.
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1924 - April 28 – An explosion in a mine at the Wheeling Steel Corporation in Benwood, West Virginia kills 119 men.


April 28, 1924

1930s - Many factories and mills in West Virginia closed. Many small farms were abandoned, and many families moved to cities.

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1950 - February 9 – Second Red Scare: In his speech to the Republican Women's Club at the McClure Hotel in Wheeling, West Virginia, Senator Joseph McCarthy accuses the United States Department of State of being filled with 205 Communists.
On February 9, 1950, Senator Joseph McCarthy delivered a speech at the McClure Hotel in Wheeling, West Virginia, marking a pivotal moment in American history known as the start of the Second Red Scare. McCarthy, known for his aggressive anti-communist stance, dramatically accused the United States Department of State of harboring 205 communists. This sensational claim sent shockwaves across the nation, igniting widespread fear and paranoia about communist infiltration within American institutions.

McCarthy's allegations tapped into Cold War anxieties already prevalent in American society, fueled by the recent victory of communist forces in China and the Soviet Union's acquisition of nuclear weapons. The speech catapulted McCarthy into the national spotlight and set the stage for his crusade against alleged communist subversion, characterized by aggressive investigations, blacklisting of suspected individuals, and a climate of suspicion that pervaded American politics and culture... Read MORE...

1954 - West Virginia's Memorial Tunnel was the first in the nation to be monitored by television. It opened November 8, 1954.

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February 26, 1972 - The Buffalo Creek disaster occurred in the Buffalo Creek Hollow of Logan County in West Virginia.
A coal slag dam on the Middle Fork of Buffalo Creek burst sending a fifty foot wall of water down a narrow valley killing 125 persons and causing 51 million dollars damage. Three days of rain atop a six inches snow cover prompted the dam break.
WeatherForYou.com
February 26, 1972

Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast, a history buff, or just looking for a peaceful getaway, West Virginia has something to offer. Here's a list of places to go and things to do in the Mountain State:
1. New River Gorge National Park and Preserve:

Explore the dramatic landscapes of the New River Gorge, home to some of the best rock climbing, hiking, and whitewater rafting in the eastern United States.

Don't miss the iconic New River Gorge Bridge, one of the longest steel arch bridges in the world. You can even walk on the catwalk underneath it for a thrilling experience.

2. Seneca Rocks:

Hike or climb to the top of Seneca Rocks, a famous quartzite formation rising nearly 900 feet above the North Fork River.

The Seneca Rocks Discovery Center provides information about the area's geology, history, and outdoor activities.

3. Harpers Ferry National Historical Park:

Step back in time to the 19th century at this historic town where the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers converge.

Visit the John Brown Museum and take a guided tour to learn about the town's role in the Civil War.

4. Greenbrier Resort:

Experience luxury at the Greenbrier Resort, a historic hotel and ... Read MORE...