Â鶹APP

Top 10 Facts about West Virginia state

Did you know of all the 50 states, West Virginia is the only state to be admitted under the presidential proclamation?

This happened o 20^th June 1863 when President Lincoln signed the bill admitting West Virginia to the Union.

That same year, West Virginia sanctioned the revised constitution to include the gradual emancipation of slaves.

Another first from this state is Mother’s Day. It was first observed as a holiday at Andrews Church in Grafton on May 10, 1908. In 1914, it was made a national holiday.

There are several other significant contributions that West Virginia has contributed to.

The mountain state, as it is commonly known, has scenic mountain beauty, unmatched outdoor recreation opportunities and the pleasantest folks one can meet in the United States.

Here are 10 facts about West Virginia State.

1. The first federal prison for women was opened in West Virginia

Photo by Aaron Bauer – Wikimedia

West Virginia was the first State to have a Federal Industrial Institution for Women. It was opened in Alderson, West Virginia in1927 after World War I.

Before the prison was opened, women were held in the same prison as men and their conditions were poor. 

The prison was meant for women serving federal sentences of more than a year. It was run by Dr Mary B. Harris and each of the prison’s buildings was named after social reformers.

Its main purpose was to reform inmates and not chastise them. Sitting on 500 acres, the prisoners would spend their time farming and doing office work.

They learned important life skills as well as canning fruits and vegetables. Most of these women were accused of consuming alcohol, using narcotics and stealing vehicles.  

2. The famous Greenbrier resort in West Virginia was used as an internment camp

If you visit White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, you will get to see the Greenbrier Hotel and Resort.

This hotel was acquired by the US government in 1942. They turned the hotel into a hospital during World War II.

Then in the 1950s, the U.S. government built a classified underground bunker beneath the hotel for Congress in case of war. The bunker was decommissioned in 1992.

Most of the soldiers that were injured during the attack at Pearl Harbour in 1941 were treated at this hospital.

The hospital also doubled as a residence for diplomats and their families from countries that had become enemy powers.

3. Grave Creek Mound in Moundsville in West Virginia is the largest burial ground for the Native Americans

Photo by Tim Kiser – Wikimedia

One of the largest colonial-type burial grounds in the US is found in West Virginia. The Grave Creek Mound, 62 feet high and 240 feet in diameter, is found in the Ohio River Valley.

The grave mound belongs to the Adena culture. They used more than 60,000 tons of dirt to create it between 250–150 BC.

In 1978, the government opened the Delf Norona Museum at the site. Inside the museum, one will find displays of several artefacts and information regarding the ancient Adena Culture.

About 450,000 artefacts were given to the government by the US Army Corps of Engineers under an agreement with the state.

4. Cecil Underwood from West Virginia was the youngest and oldest governor in the United States

It was in West Virginia that the youngest governor was elected into office. The same governor was elected into office years later when he was in his 70s.

In 1956, aged 34, Cecil Underwood was elected as the youngest governor of West Virginia. Unfortunately, he was prohibited from running for a second term by the constitution of the state.

Several years later in 1996, Underwood ran for office and was elected. He was 75 years old.

For this record, Underwood was the 25^th and 32^nd Governor of West Virginia. His first term was from 1957 to 1961, and the second one from 1997 to 2001.

Underwood’s third attempt to run for office in 2000 did not go through as he was defeated by Democrat Bob Wise.

5. The largest Sycamore tree is found in West Virginia

Photo by Alex Boyd on Unsplash

It is believed that the largest tree on record in West Virginia is a Webster sycamore, this is based on a scoring system. The tree is found in Marshall County.

The tree has a 311-inch in diameter and a 128-foot crown spread. It stands at 117 feet making the total score 460 points.

It was declared to be the largest tree in the state’s history. Sadly, the gigantic tree was fell in 2010 because it had aged and had been damaged by arsonists. 

6. The first Rural Free Delivery was introduced in West Virginia

Before the advent of delivery persons and cars in the United States, People used to walk or ride to the nearest post office and pick up their own mail.

In 1892, Congressman James O’Donnell presented a bill to extend free mail service to rural areas. Unfortunately, the bill failed.

Four years later, the first Rural Free Delivery in the United States, was introduced in West Virginia. It enabled people living in rural areas to access mail delivery.

The pilot project in Jefferson County took off quickly after several years of implementation.

7. Blackwater Falls in West Virginia is one of the most visited parks

The Blackwater Falls has a 57-foot cascade and it was named for its tannin-darkened water. The colour of the water is caused by fallen hemlock and red spruce needles.

This waterfall is among the most photographed venues in the state. There are several viewing platforms at the park that allow visitors to enjoy scenic views.

The falls can be accessed all year-round and allow you get to take incredible photos.

There is a 20-mile hiking trail with the longest sledging magic carpet on the East Coast in the winter.

Blackwater Falls State Park was established in 1937 and had been a favourite destination for many since the 1800s.

8. West Virginia has a Quiet Zone

Photo by Z22 – Wikimedia

On the eastern side of West Virginia is the Quiet Zone. This is the largest zone in the entire United States.

It was enacted to reduce radio wave interference for the Green Bank Telescope.

The telescope is 500 feet tall and weighs 17 million pounds making it one of the largest objects on the earth.

This telescope picks up radio transmissions from outer space. Interestingly, the tiniest interference can make it impossible to decode what those radio waves from space mean.

About half of the zone is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of west-central Virginia. The other half is the Allegheny Mountains of east-central West Virginia.

9. West Virginia is the third most forested State

Photo by Marita Kavelashvili on Unsplash

When it comes to green spaces and trees, West Virginia comes a shy third as one of the most forested states in the United States.

Its forest cover is 12 million acres. Additionally, a big chunk of the forested land is classified as commercial forestland, which is available for timber production.

These forested lands can be found starting in the western Ohio River Valley counties, the southern coalfields, and the eastern mountains.

The forests represent an important resource for multiple uses such as recreation, hunting, timber production, and propagation of forest trees.

10. The first African American female legislator was from West Virginia

Minnie Buckingham Harper was the first African American to serve in the legislature in 1928, in the entire country. She took the position after her husband died in the middle of his legislative term.

Minnie was unanimously appointed and it gave rise to the growing interest of women especially African Americans in politics.

During her term in office, Buckingham served on the House committees on Federal Relations, Railroads, and Labour.

After her term ended, Minnie chose not to run for re-election. It was until 22 years later that the 2^nd African American woman was elected to the legislature.

Elizabeth Drewry, also from McDowell County, was elected to the House in 1950.