West Virginia, a state located in the Appalachian region of the United States, is known for its rugged beauty, rich history, and unique culture.
From its stunning natural landscapes to its fascinating cultural heritage, there is no shortage of interesting facts about this beautiful state. This article will explore some of the most intriguing facts about West Virginia.
- The State Was Once Part of Virginia
West Virginia became the 35th state to be admitted to the Union on June 20, 1863. Prior to that, it was part of Virginia.
However, during the American Civil War, the western counties of Virginia chose to remain loyal to the Union and formed their own state.
West Virginia was officially created as a separate state when President Abraham Lincoln signed the statehood bill into law.
- The New River Gorge Bridge Is One of the Tallest in the United States
The New River Gorge Bridge, located in Fayette County, West Virginia, is one of the tallest bridges in the United States. The bridge spans 3,030 feet and stands 876 feet above the New River Gorge.
It was completed in 1977 and is now a popular tourist attraction and site for extreme sports such as base jumping and rappelling.
- The State Is Known as the Mountain State
West Virginia is often called the “Mountain State” due to its rugged, mountainous terrain.
It is home to several major mountain ranges, including the Allegheny Mountains, the Appalachian Mountains, and the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The highest point in the state is Spruce Knob, which stands at 4,863 feet.
- The Greenbrier Resort Is Home to a Top-Secret Bunker
The Greenbrier Resort, located in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, was once home to a top-secret underground bunker.
The bunker, which was built during the Cold War, was designed to serve as a backup location for the U.S. Congress in the event of a nuclear attack. The bunker was decommissioned in 1992 and is now open to the public for tours.
- The State Has Its Own Unique Dialect
The state’s Appalachian heritage influences west Virginia’s unique dialect. The dialect, sometimes called “Appalachian English,” is characterized by its distinct pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary.
Some common Appalachian English words and phrases include “y’all,” “reckon,” and “fixin’ to.”
- The Golden Delicious Apple Was First Discovered in West Virginia
The Golden Delicious apple, one of the most popular apple varieties in the world, was first discovered in Clay County, West Virginia in the early 20th century.
The apple is now grown all over the world and is known for its sweet, juicy flavor and crisp texture.
- The State Is Home to the Oldest River in North America
The New River, which runs through West Virginia and several other states, is considered to be the oldest river in North America.
The river is estimated to be over 320 million years old and is known for its stunning scenery, including the New River Gorge.
- West Virginia Was Once a Major Coal-Producing State
West Virginia was once one of the largest coal-producing states in the United States. In fact, the state’s coal industry played a major role in its economy for many years.
Today, the coal industry is not as prominent as it once was, but it still plays an important role in the state’s economy.
- The State Is Home to Several State Parks
West Virginia is home to several state parks, including Blackwater Falls State Park, Canaan Valley Resort State Park, and Pipestem Resort State Park.
These parks offer a wide range of outdoor activities, such as hiking, camping, fishing, and skiing, and are popular destinations for tourists and locals alike.
- The State Has a Rich Musical Heritage
West Virginia has a rich musical heritage, particularly in the genres of bluegrass, country, and folk music. Several famous musicians, such as Bill Withers, Brad Paisley, and Hazel Dickens, were born or raised in West Virginia.
The state is also home to the annual Appalachian String Band Music Festival, which celebrates the traditional music of the Appalachian region.
- West Virginia Is Home to Several Historic Sites
West Virginia has several historic sites that glimpse the state’s rich history.
Some notable sites include Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, where John Brown’s raid on the U.S. Armory took place, and the West Virginia State Capitol, which features a gold-plated dome and is considered one of the country’s most beautiful state capitols.
- The State Has a Strong Literary Tradition
West Virginia has a strong literary tradition, with several famous writers, such as Pearl S. Buck and Denise Giardina, hailing from the state.
The state also hosts the annual West Virginia Book Festival, which brings together writers, readers, and book lovers from around the country.
- The State Is Known for Its Glass Industry
West Virginia is known for its glass industry, a major part of the state’s economy for over a century.
The state is home to several glass companies, such as Blenko Glass and Fenton Art Glass, that produce a wide range of glassware, from handblown vases to decorative figurines.
- The State Is Home to Several Unique Festivals
West Virginia has several unique festivals celebrating the state’s culture and heritage.
Some notable festivals include the Ramp Festival, which celebrates the wild onion-like vegetable, the ramp, and the West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival, which celebrates the state’s Italian-American community.
- The State Has a Strong Outdoor Recreation Industry
West Virginia’s rugged terrain and stunning natural landscapes make it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
The state has a strong outdoor recreation industry, with activities such as whitewater rafting, rock climbing, and hiking drawing visitors from around the world.
- West Virginia Is Known for Its Moonshine
West Virginia has a long history of moonshining or the illegal distilling of alcohol.
While the production and sale of moonshine is now illegal, the state’s moonshining heritage is still celebrated, with several distilleries producing legal moonshine and offering tours and tastings to visitors.
- The State Is Home to Several Famous Athletes
West Virginia is home to several famous athletes, including NFL Hall of Fame member Sam Huff and NBA star Jerry West.
The state is also known for its strong high school and college sports programs, particularly in football and basketball.
- West Virginia Is Home to the Country’s First Rural Health School
West Virginia is home to the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, the first rural health school in the United States.
The school, founded in 1974, focuses on training physicians to work in rural areas and underserved communities.
- The State Has Its Own State Fossil
West Virginia has its own state fossil, the Megalonyx jeffersonii, or Jefferson’s ground sloth.
The fossilized remains of the sloth have been found in several parts of the state, and the species is believed to have lived in the area over 10,000 years ago.
- West Virginia Is Home to Several Unique Food Items
West Virginia is home to several unique food items popular among locals and visitors.
Some notable dishes include pepperoni rolls, a breadroll stuffed with pepperoni and cheese, and the West Virginia-style hot dog topped with chili, coleslaw, mustard, and onions.
- The State Has a Strong Coal Mining Heritage
West Virginia has a strong coal mining heritage, with coal mining playing a significant role in the state’s economy for over a century.
The state is home to several coal mines and mining towns, and the coal mining industry has contributed significantly to the state’s culture and identity.
- West Virginia Is Home to the Green Bank Observatory
West Virginia is home to the Green Bank Observatory, which is one of the world’s premier radio astronomy facilities.
The observatory is located in the middle of the National Radio Quiet Zone, which restricts radio transmissions in the area to minimize interference with the telescopes.
- The State Has Its Own State Insect
West Virginia has its own state insect, the honeybee. The honeybee was chosen as the state insect in 2002 in recognition of its importance to the state’s agriculture industry.
- West Virginia Has a Rich Civil Rights History
West Virginia has a rich civil rights history, with several significant events taking place in the state during the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s.
Notable figures from the state include attorney J.R. Clifford, who fought for civil rights in the late 19th century, and Katherine Johnson, a mathematician who worked for NASA and played a significant role in the space race.
- The State Has Several Haunted Locations
West Virginia is home to several haunted locations, including the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, which was once a mental hospital and is now a popular destination for ghost tours.
Other haunted locations in the state include the West Virginia State Penitentiary and the Harpers Ferry Ghost Tour.
- The State is Home to the Appalachian Trail
The Appalachian Trail, which spans over 2,000 miles from Georgia to Maine, passes through West Virginia for approximately 4% of its length.
The trail offers hikers stunning views of the state’s mountain landscapes and is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
- West Virginia is Known for Its Whitewater Rafting
West Virginia is known for its world-class whitewater rafting opportunities, with the New River Gorge being a popular destination for rafting and kayaking.
The state also has several other rivers and streams that are ideal for water-based recreation.
- The State is Home to the Oldest Golf Course in the U.S.
The Oakhurst Links golf course in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, is the oldest surviving golf course in the United States.
The course was built in 1884 and restored to its original condition in the 1990s.
- The West Virginia State Capitol Building is Made of White Indiana Limestone
The West Virginia State Capitol building in Charleston is made of white Indiana limestone and features a 293-foot-tall dome.
The building was completed in 1932 and is considered one of the most beautiful capitol buildings in the country.
- The State is Home to the National Radio Astronomy Observatory
The National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank, West Virginia, is the world’s largest fully steerable radio telescope.
The observatory is used for astronomical research and is a popular destination for visitors interested in space and astronomy.
- West Virginia Has Its Own Chocolate Festival
West Virginia hosts an annual chocolate festival in Lewisburg, which celebrates the state’s chocolate-making heritage. The festival features chocolate tastings, cooking demonstrations, and a chocolate-themed parade.
In this article, we covered 31 amazing facts on West Virginia. Keep learning!
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