Historically interesting places
Harpers Ferry Historical Park
The Harpers Ferry Historical Park comprises parts of the city of Harpers Ferry, which is located in the far northeast of West Virginia at the confluence of the Shenandoah River and the Potomac River. In 1944 the Harpers Ferry Historical Park was founded, but still with the title National Monument. However, since 1963 it has been named Harpers Ferry Historical Park. The Harpers Ferry Historical Park, which is a mixture of historical, cultural and natural attractions, covers an area of almost 15 km². The historic town of Harpers Ferry was the starting point for an uprising by former slaves against slavery in 1859. A raid and conquest of the local arsenal led to the subsequent attack and killing of the insurgents by the army under Robert Lee.
| Contact | www.nps.gov/hafe |
Grave Creek Mound in Moundsville
The Grave Creek Mound in the city of Moundsville is a burial mound of the Adena culture. The burial mound was probably built between 250 and 150 BC. created. With a diameter of 73 m and a height of 19 m, the Grave Creek Mound is one of the largest conical burial mounds in the USA. The first investigation of the burial mound dates back to 1838. There has also been a museum here since 1978, the Delf Norona Museum, which has over 450,000 artifacts. Grave Creek Mound has been on the list of National Historic Landmarks since 1964. The Criel Mound in the city of Charleston is also recommended.
- Abbreviationfinder.org: Find common acronyms associated with West Virginia. Also see top 10 cities by population in West Virginia.
- Allcitycodes: Lists of all area codes of West Virginia. Also includes state overview and counties by area code in West Virginia.
| Contact | 801 Jefferson Avenue Moundsville, West Virginia 26041 www.wvculture.org/museum/GraveCreekmod.html |
Watters Smith Memorial State Park at Lost Creek
The Watters Smith Memorial State Park near Lost Creek is a historically oriented state park. The former farm of the settler Watter Smith, which was built at the end of the 18th century, is preserved here on an area of 2.15 km². In addition to the historical buildings, there is also a museum. The State Park was founded in 1949.
| Contact | www.watterssmithstatepark.com |
Special buildings and structures
West Virginia State Capitol in Charleston
The West Virginia State Capitol in the city of Charleston is the seat of the government of the state of West Virginia. Today’s State Capitol was inaugurated in 1932 after a construction period of 7 years. It is the 3rd State Capitol. The State Capitol’s architectural style is based on most other State Capitols and has style influences of the New Georgian architecture as well as the influences of the Neo-Renaissance. There are several statues on the State Capitol grounds, for example by Abraham Licoln and Thomas Jonathan “Stonewall” Jackson. The Capitol Rotunda is 89 m high, making the State Capitol the tallest building in West Virginia and 1.5 m higher than the Capitol in Washington. The copper dome is also covered with gold leaf.
| Contact | 1900 Kanawha Boulevard East Charleston, West Virginia 25305 www.wvculture.org/agency/capitol.html |
West Virginia Independence Hall in Wheeling
The West Virginia Independence Hall in the city of Wheeling is the birthplace of the state of West Virginia. In the Renaissance-style building built in 1860, the Wheeling Convention met in 1861 and the West Virginia Constitutional Convention in 1863. The actual intended use of the building was that of a customs house. West Virginia Independence Hall has been on the list of National Historic Landmarks since 1988.
| Contact | 1528 Market Street Wheeling, West Virginia 26003 www.wvculture.org/museum/WVIHmod.html |
New River Gorge Bridge at Fayetteville
The New River Gorge Bridge near the city of Fayetteville is a 924 m steel arch bridge. The bridge was built from 1974 to 1977. From 1977 to 2000, the New River Gorge Bridge was the longest arch bridge in the world. The arch span of the bridge is 518 m and the height of the bridge is 267 m. This made the bridge very popular with base jumpers, but jumps off the bridge have been banned since a death in 1993. So far there have been 3 deaths. The bridge spans the New River and leads US Route 19 across the river. The bridge is part of the New River Gorge National River and there is a visitor center with a viewing platform at the north end of the bridge. Every third Saturday in October the bridge is closed to traffic and Fayette County’s “Bridge Day” takes place
| Contact | www.nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/nrgbridge.htm |
Dents Run Covered Bridge near Morgantown
The Dents Run Covered Bridge is a historic, still used wooden bridge from 1889 near the city of Morgantown. The bridge is a covered bridge (a bridge with a roof). In the United States, covered bridges are folkloric symbols. There are still around 1,000 covered bridges in the United States, from more than 14,000 in the past. The bridge spans the Dents Run River for a length of 12 m. The Dents Run Covered Bridge has been on the list of Historic Places since 1981.
Sarvis Fork Covered Bridge
The Sarvis Fork Covered Bridge near the city of Charleston is a covered bridge (a roofed bridge) built in 1889. In the United States, covered bridges are folkloric symbols. There are still around 1,000 covered bridges in the United States, from more than 14,000 in the past. The approx. 30 m long wooden Sarvis Fork Covered Bridge was initially no longer used after the construction of a more modern bridge, but was later moved to a different location and completely restored. Sarvis Fork Covered Bridge has been on the list of Historic Places since 1981.
West Virginia State Penitentiary in Moundsville
The West Virginia State Penitentiary in the city of Moundsville is a historic penitentiary built between 1867 and 1876. The West Virginia State Penitentiary was in operation from 1876 to 1995. The building is built in the Gothic Revival style and is partly reminiscent of a European castle. Nowadays you can take part in guided tours. Some of these tours are aimed at people who are looking for paranormal activities. The West Virginia State Penitentiary has been on the list of National Historic Places since 1996.
| Contact | 818 Jefferson Avenue Moundsville, West Virginia 26041 www.wvpentours.com |
1UpTravel.com – Maps of West Virginia
Browse a collection of state, city, and historical maps of this US state. Check out the city maps of Fairmont and Wheeling.
Website: http://www.1uptravel.com/worldmaps/west-virginia.html
West Virginia – National Geographic Map Machine
View a shaded-relief map that reveals the locations of cities and rivers. Also features a brief profile of the state’s economy.
Website: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/maps/atlas/usstates/swevir
West Virginia – University of Texas Library
Find a state map, a historical 1920 Wheeling city map, and area and location maps of Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Park.
Website: http://www.lib.utexas.edu/Libs/PCL/Map_collection/west_virgi
West Virginia – US Census Bureau Map
Find a clickable map that’s divided into counties and provides details on each. Includes congressional district info and a state profile.
Website: http://www.census.gov/datamap/www/54.html
