37.2 F
Beckley
Friday, March 29, 2024

History

Welcome to the History news directory at West Virginia Explorer, where you’ll find an archive of the most recent West Virginia history news published at West Virginia Explorer.

Three little-known facts about West Virginia's moundbuilders

The largest of the two Oak Mounds rises overlooks the West Fork River.
The term “moundbuilder” is often used to describe two ancient cultures that archaeologists now know as the Adena and the Hopewell. These peoples lived...

Devil's Saddle poem tells of girl's meeting with "granny witch"

Throughout the history of Appalachia, one may encounter the legend of granny witches—solitary women believed to possess uncanny powers. Many served in very real...

How the "Tug Fork" in southern West Virginia got its name

Ostenaco prepares for council on New River, West Virginia
WILLIAMSON, W.Va.—Of all the placenames associated with West Virginia, that of the Tug Fork of the Big Sandy River may be the subject of...

Restoration of historic Blue Sulphur Springs pavilion expected soon

Editor David Sibray visits the pavilion at Blue Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. Now undergoing restoration.
One of the state's most evocative historic landmarks, the pavilion at Blue Sulphur Springs could be restored to its original appearance by 2023 and...

Three new Civil War heritage signs installed in Wheeling

Chris Brown (left) and Drew Gruber (right) pose with the completed sign at Independence Hall.
Three new Civil War Trails signs have been installed in Wheeling, West Virginia, the first phase of a project focused on updating content and...

Lost W.Va. saltworks known to only a few locals, adventurers

David Sibray inspects stonework in a thicket near the old saltworks.
The legend of the lost Mercer Saltworks near the New River in southern West Virginia may be remembered now by only a few locals...

Historian says Tecumseh may have been born in West Virginia, not...

Tecumseh confronts William Henry Harrison
JANE LEW, W.Va. — It's widely accepted that Tecumseh was born in what's now Ohio, but a handful of historians contend that one of...

Some mysterious W.Va. rock features may have sacred origins

Cairn on a West Virginia ridge. Photo courtesy Charity Moore.
Editor's Note: If you're familiar with the outdoors in West Virginia, you've likely seen rocks piled in what might seem "the middle of nowhere."...

Many early almanacs printed out of Wheeling, West Virginia

Farmers converse near old Fort Henry at Wheeling, c. 1777.
Thanks to the Internet, almanacs aren't printed as they once were, but in West Virginia, where communications were hampered by the mountains, these useful...

Ancient stone walls on Armstrong Mountain no old-timer's tale

A historic marker along U.S. 60 promotes the location of the Mount Carbon Walls.
If you grew up listening to the lore of old-timers in southern West Virginia, chances are you've heard of mysterious stone walls atop Armstrong...

Legend of ancient warpath along the W.Va. Turnpike is fact

The West Virginia Turnpike follows part of an ancient warpath through the West Virginia hills.
Older folks who live in the valley of Paint Creek may recall legends about how the stream was named: an ancient warpath followed it...

How a circus clown helped relocate W.Va. capital to Charleston

Lolo, the clown, helped establish Charleston as the capital of West Virginia.
It might sound like a joke, but it's true that a circus clown helped relocate the West Virginia capital from Wheeling to Charleston, its...

Sponsors

Stay Connected

15,641FansLike
1,540FollowersFollow
1,193FollowersFollow