Wetzel County CVB

The History of Wetzel County

Early History
Native Americans inhabited the Ohio Valley for thousands of years before the first white man laid eyes on it in 1669. Ancient inhabitants known as Adena people, or Mound Builders, dotted the landscape with burial mounds and other earthworks during the Woodland Period, 2000-3000 years ago. Nearby Grave Creek Mound was the center of late Adena culture and is the largest conical burial mound in the U.S.

A French explorer, Robert Chevalier de LaSalle, opened the area for exploration in 1669 when he sailed down the Ohio River from the north. The heavily forested area was inhabited by native tribes whose wigwam villages were scattered along the waterways. Edward Dulin, the first settler in New Martinsville in 1773, was killed in an Indian raid ten yours later in the ongoing Border Wars between settlers and tribes that continued until 1795.

The Treaty of Paris bought peace and more settlers to the area known as western Virginia. In 1846, local inhabitants voted to form Wetzel County (named for Lewis Wetzel, a colorful frontiersman) with New Martinsville as its seat, from northern Tyler County.

Civil War

The rugged terrian of western Virginia was unsuitable for tobacco farming. Unlike eastern Virginia farmers, local farmers had different problems and few, if any, slaves. As a result, they were underrepresented and overtaxed. When Virginia seceded from the Union, western Virginia voted against secession.

Although there were a handful of Confederate sympathizers in the area, the vast majority of residents supported the Union army. No major battles were fought in Wetzel County even though troops regularly moved through the area.Tradition has it that there were many local links to the Underground Railroad.

Statehood

In 1863, Abraham Lincoln decreed statehood on the land known as western Virginia. The 35th state, known as West Virginia, is the only state ever created by presidential decree.

Ohio River

The Ohio River forms the western border of Wetzel County and played an important role in its development. Originally the western border of the new American nation, the river later became a dividing line between the North and South. Known today as the First Frontier Trail, the drive along the river links a series of historically important sites along the river.

The river provides scenic vistas for residents of riverside towns and for travelers along Routes 2 and 7, which parallel the river in WV and Ohio. As a mode of transport for commercial traffic, the Ohio River is second only to the mighty Mississippi. The Hannibal Lock and Dam, just above the bridge that spans the river from New Martinsville to Hannibal, OH, produces clean, green, hydroelectric power. In the summer, riverboats ply the waters between Pittsburgh and Cincinnati making stops along the way.

Wetzel County Today

When the railroad came to Wetzel County in 1884, it brought with it prosperity. Oil and gas were discovered and the region became a boomtown. Many of the historic homes and buildings around Routes 2 and 250 were built with the wealth of the Victorian era. Along the Ohio River glassmaking became an important industry. Chemical companies and utility plants came later and also located along the river. The oil and gas did not last, and glassware has lost its importance, but renewed interest in natural gas formations as a source of clean energy is once again bringing prosperity to Wetzel County.

Today the area is experiencing a natural gas boom with the discovery and development of the Marcellus shale deposits. These formations are a plentiful source of natural gas, which can provide a supply of clean energy to the nation.

Wetzel County offers plentiful natural resources., scenic beauty, heritage tourism, and small town charm.