Happy West Virginia Day!

Today is National West Virginia Day for 2025. . .

Happy National West Virginia Day ! ! ! 

Which State is WV:

The Beginning Years: It is believed that the initial settlement of West Virginia has a long history of Native American cultures, including the Paleo-Indians, Adena, Hopewell, and Fort Ancient groups. The Paleo-Indians were the first settlers over 5,000 years ago, followed by Archaic cultures, who built temporary villages. The Adena (c. 500 B. C. to c. A. D. 200) are known for burial mounds. The Hopewell (c. 200 B. C. to c. A. D. 400) advanced from the Adena and had extensive trade. The Fort Ancient culture dominated from A. D. 1000 to the late 1600s, known for pottery and agriculture. After Europeans arrived in the mid-16th century, Native populations declined. Evidence of these cultures includes mounds, petroglyphs, and over 12,500 archaeological sites. Key sites include Grave Creek Mound, Criel Mound, Camden Park Mound, Marmet Village Site, and Logan Site.

West Virginia geographic map-en courtesy of Openverse

More History: The state of West Virginia was formed on June 20, 1863, during the Civil War, when western counties of Virginia decided to separate from the Confederacy and join the Union. It became the 35th state, known for its coal mining and the nickname “Almost Heaven” from John Denver’s song. Interesting facts include the New River Gorge Bridge, the annual ramp festival, and notable figures like Pearl S. Buck and Chuck Yeager. Shepherdstown is the oldest town, and brick roads were invented in Charleston.

More About West Virginia: Throughout the years, West Virginia has earned the titles of the being mountainous, and for its beautiful mountains and rivers, making it great for outdoor activities like hiking, whitewater rafting, and rock climbing. Key attractions include New River Gorge National Park, Monongahela National Forest, and Blackwater Falls State Park. Historical sites are Harper’s Ferry, The Greenbrier resort, West Virginia State Penitentiary, Grave Creek Mound, and the West Virginia State Museum. Charleston is the state capital, celebrated for its history and landscapes.

The Great Location of West Virginia: The state of West Virginia spans 240 miles in length and 130 miles in width. It is bordered by Pennsylvania to the north, Maryland to the northeast, Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest.

Greetings from West Virginia – Large Letter Postcard (4453876100) courtesy of Openverse

West Virginia’s Statehood Facts:

The History:

West Virginia Officially Adopted as a U.S. State, State Song, Admission Date & West Virginia Flag
State Name Info ♪ State Song ♫	Admission	Capital	Flag Image
35th State. West Virginia (50 Trans-Allegheny region counties) “Green Rolling Hills” by Emmylou Harris (Modern), “The West Virginia Hills” written by Ellen Ruddell King, music & chorus by Henry Everett Engle (Original)	06/20/1863	Charleston

See: Officially Adopted as a U.S. States, State Songs, Admission Dates & Flags at:

National States & Capitals Day – 2024

Some Great West Virginia Sites:  Here is a list of some some great places to visit while in West Virginia:

• Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, 50 S River Ave, Weston, WV 26452
• Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, 171 Shoreline Dr, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425
• New River Gorge Bridge, US-19 between E. Fayette Station Rd. & W. Fayette Station Rd, Victor, WV 25938
• Blackwater Falls State Park, 1584 Blackwater Lodge Rd, Davis, WV 26260
• West Virginia Penitentiary, 818 Jefferson Ave, Moundsville, WV 26041
• Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine and Youth Museum, 513 Ewart Ave, Beckley, WV 25801
• Cass Scenic Railroad State Park, 12363 Cass Rd, Cass, WV 24927
• Seneca Rocks State Park, The intersection of Route 33 and Route 55, Seneca Rocks, WV 26884
• Babcock State Park, 486 Babcock Rd, Clifftop, WV 25831
• Berkeley Springs State Park, 2 S Washington St, Berkeley Springs, WV 25411
• New River Gorge National Park & Preserve, 330 Meadow Creek Rd. Meadow Bridge, WV 25976
• Snowshoe Mountain Resort, 10 Snowshoe Dr, Snowshoe, WV 26209

Memorable West Virginia Events:  Here is a list of some events that happened in West Virginia:

• 1606: The Virginia Colony is established.
  1607: The settlement of Jamestown is founded.
  1669: John Lederer visits the Blue Ridge Mountains and is the first European to enter West Virginia.
  1671: Explorers Thomas Batts and Robert Fallam travel into the Appalachian Mountains and find Kanawha Falls.
  1726: German settlers build the settlement of New Mecklenburg.
  1748: George Washington surveyed land in West Virginia.
  1762: The oldest town in West Virginia, Shepherdstown, is founded.
  1776: People in the region petition the Congress to create a 14th state called Westsylvania, but it is denied.
  1859: Abolitionist John Brown leads a raid on the Harpers Ferry arsenal in an attempt to arm the slaves.
  1861: When Virginia secedes from the Union at the start of the Civil War, West Virginia remains loyal to the Union and creates its own government separate from Virginia.
  1862: The Battle of Shepherdstown is fought.
  1863: West Virginia is admitted as the 35^th state.
  1865: The Civil War comes to an end and slavery is abolished in the state.
  1875: The state capital is moved to Wheeling.
  1880: The Hatfields and McCoys begin to feud.
  1885: Charleston becomes the permanent state capital.
  1977: The New River Gorge Bridge opens.

New River Gorge Bridge and Rapids courtesy of Openverse

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National West Virginia Day