Doddridge County, in central West Virginia, was created in 1845 and named for statesman Phillip Doddridge. Its county seat is at West Union, on Middle Island Creek. Doddridge County was the home of Joseph H. Diss Debar, the first commissioner of immigration for the State of West Virginia and the designer of the Great Seal of West Virginia.
Debar encouraged families from his native Switzerland to move to southern Doddridge County near Saint Clara. The county's chief industries include tourism, glassmaking, and oil and gas drilling. Doddridge is chiefly agricultural, though tourism plays an increased economic role. Its chief agrarian exports are fruit, corn, potatoes, and livestock.
Middle Island Creek and the North Fork of the Hughes River source in the southern county. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 8,202.
Cities & Towns in Doddridge County
Avondale, West Virginia
Big Isaac, West Virginia
Blandville, West Virginia
Center Point, West Virginia
Greenwood, West Virginia
Industrial, West Virginia
Leopold, West Virginia
New Milton, West Virginia
Saint Clara, West Virginia
Smithburg, West Virginia
West Union, West Virginia
Parks & Public Recreation Facilities
Doddridge County Park (Smithburg, WV)
Lewis Wetzel Wildlife Management Area
North Bend Rail Trail
Doddridge County Historic Landmarks
West Union Downtown Historic District (West Union, WV)
Regional information for Doddridge County, West Virginia
Further information on lodging, dining, and recreation in Doddridge County may be found in our guide to travel in the Heartland Region of central West Virginia, where Doddridge County is located.
