Historical Markers in
Kanawha County, West Virginia

ΑΦΑ Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated 1607 - 1681 1716 - 1763 1787 - 1818 1819 - 1853 1837 - 1889 1859 - 1863 30,000 B.C. - 1521 A.D. 45th US Colored Infantry 980 A.D. - 1536 A.D. Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln Walks At Midnight Adena Trade and Technology Adena Way of Life African Baptist Church Alex Schoenbaum Alum Creek Ancient 500 B.C. Culture Unearthed Andrew & Charles Lewis March Andrew & Charles Lewis March Bangor Cemetery Baptism By Fire Battle of Charleston Battle of Charleston Belle Works Birkett Davenport Fry Booker T. Washington Booker Taliaferro Washington Breezemont Brian O. Hemphill Brines & Rock Salt Bull Moose Special Burial Mound of the Adena Indians Burning Spring Monument Byrd Prillerman Camp Piatt Canty House Captain John Young / John Young Early Settler Captain Larry F. Lucas Cedar Grove Veterans Memorial Charleston Charleston Baptist Temple Charleston Trails / Illustrated History of the Midland Trail Charleston's Civil War Sites Coal Coalburg Col. George Clendenin / Town of Clendenin Corporal Victor Theodore Lake Jr. Craik-Patton House Daniel Boone Daniel Boone Dedicated to You, A Free Citizen in a Free Land Delta Sigma Theta East Bank High School East Hall Executive Mansion First Baptist Church First Gas Well First Settlers Fort Clendenin Fort Lee Fort Scammon Fort Scammon Fort Tackett Garnet High School George W. Summers George Washington Gold Star Families Memorial Monument Good Shepherd Chapel Catholic Church Harold M. McNeill Hazo W. Carter, Jr. Historic Church Holly Grove “Bull Moose Special” In Honor and Memory of William Morris Indian Mound Indian Mound / Mounds-Earthworks J. McHenry Jones James Edwin Campbell John H. Hill John W. Davis Kanawha County Formed November 14, 1788 Kanawha Riflemen Kanawha Valley Mound Builders Kappa Alpha Psi Kappa Chapter, Theta Psi Katherine Coleman Goble Johnson Lewis Ruffner LewisÂ’ March Limestone • Sandstone • Silica Little Page Terrace Public Housing Major William Morris Jr. Marmet Veteran's Tribute Mary Ingles Mary Price Ratrie Greenspace Mary Price Ratrie Greenspace / Illustrated History of the Midland Trail Mattie V. Lee Home, Inc. Methodist Episcopal Church South Bell Military Occupation Morgan Kitchen Museum Mucklow / Gallagher, WV Natural Gas Nu Chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Oil Old St. Albans Post Office Ordnance Plant Petrochemical Plant Pinch Reunion Presidential Presence Respect for an Ancient Culture Rev. Ruffner's Grave Ruffner Well Samuel Shrewsbury House Sgt Deforest L. Talbert Simon Kenton Site of Fort Lee Slavery in West Virginia St. Albans Archeological Site St. Albans Covered Bridge St. Mark's Episcopal Church Standard, WV State Capitol State Capitol State Capitol State Capitol State Capitol Temple Israel - 1873 The 35th Star The Block The Block The Block Historic District / Midland Trail The Necessary Ingredient The New Deal In Your Community The New Deal In Your Community The Ruffners Thomas J. Jackson Thomas Winston Cole, Jr. Timber Union Civil War Monument Veterans Memorial Veterans Memorial Vietnam War Memorial Virginia's Chapel War At The Front Door Washington's Land West Virginia Home Guards West Virginia State University West Virginia Veterans Memorial West Virginia's Female Veteran William Blizzard William H. Davis William J.L. Wallace World War I Memorial World War I Memorial World War II Memorial World War II Memorial World War II Memorial Zero Mile Stone "The West Virginia Coal Miner"
West Virginia is the only state in the United States to be created as a result of the Civil War. In 1861, Virginia seceded from the Union, but many residents in the western part of the state opposed secession and eventually formed their own state, which was admitted to the Union in 1863.
West Virginia random facts
Kanawha County, West Virginia has a rich and varied history that spans several centuries. The region was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Shawnee and Cherokee, who used the Kanawha River for transportation and trade. In the late 18th century, European settlers began to establish homesteads in the area, drawn by the fertile soil and abundant natural resources.

During the American Civil War, Kanawha County saw significant military activity. It was a strategic location for both Union and Confederate forces, as control of the Kanawha River meant dominance over key transportation routes. The Battle of Charleston took place in the county in 1862, resulting in Union victory and the expulsion of Confederate forces from the area.

The late 19th and early 20th centuries brought industrialization to Kanawha County, thanks to the discovery of vast coal reserves. This led to a boom in mining and the establishment of numerous mining towns. The county became a major center for the coal industry, attracting workers from across the country and around the world.

In more recent times, Kanawha County has faced economic challenges due to the decline of the coal industry. However, efforts have been made to diversify the economy and promote tourism. The county is home to a number of tourist attractions, including beautiful parks, historical sites, and the state capital, Charleston. Today, Kanawha County continues to evolve and adapt, while preserving its rich heritage and natural beauty.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Kanawha County, West Virginia.

  • 1788 - Kanawha County is established from parts of Greenbrier and Montgomery counties.
  • 1831 - Charleston becomes the county seat of Kanawha County.
  • 1850 - The population of Kanawha County reaches 12,174.
  • 1863 - During the American Civil War, Kanawha County is occupied by Union forces.
  • 1870 - The population of Kanawha County grows to 17,039.
  • 1875 - A devastating flood hits Kanawha County, causing significant damage.
  • 1917 - The Kanawha County Public Library is established.
  • 1943 - The Battle of Blair Mountain takes place in southern Kanawha County during the West Virginia Mine Wars.
  • 1974 - The Kanawha County textbook controversy leads to protests and violence in the community.
  • 1994 - Kanawha County celebrates its bicentennial.