Wood County, West Virginia

700 Market Square Building 821 Juliana Street 9-11-2001 Albert J. Woofter Amiss-McCrary House Arbors Belleville Black Walnut Tree Plantation Blennerhassett Hotel Blennerhassett Island Blennerhassett Island Blennerhassett Kitchen Garden Blennerhassett Wash House Blennerhassett’s Cove Blennerhassett’s Well Burr-Blennerhassett Calvary Temple Evangelical Church Carnegie Library Casto-Douglas-Longacre-Harris House Col. Hugh Phelps Commandant Archbold Henderson Cornerstone Of The Original Trinity Church Creating West Virginia Dunmore’s Camp Early Oil Wells Early Parkersburg Endless Cable System Escape to Freedom Famous Persons Who Traveled by Blennerhassett Island First Baptist Church Fishpond Flower Bed Fort Boreman Fort Boreman Fort Boreman Fort Boreman During The Civil War Fort Boreman Hill General Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson George Neale, Jr. House George Rogers Clark Henderson Hall Historic Blennerhassett Hotel Historic Blennerhassett Island Historic Parkersburg (West) Virginia Historic Parkersburg (West) Virginia Hothouses Jacob Beeson Blair Julia-Ann Square Historic District Julia-Ann Square Historic District Julia-Ann Square Historic District Julia-Ann Square Historic District Kahn-Vaughan-Atkinson House Lamp house Logan Memorial Methodist Church Masonic Temple Maze Neal's Station Ohio / West Virginia Old Tollgate House Old Turnpikes Paling Fence Parkersburg Parkersburg and the Civil War Parkersburg High School Parkersburg in 1861 Peter G. Van Winkle Pleasure Garden Prehistoric Sites Railroads Robert W. Simmons Rotary Club of Parkersburg S. L. Gould House Site of First Blennerhassett Island Park Site of Tenant House and Broom Factory Smoot Theatre Summerhouse Sumner School / Robert W. Simmons Tavenner Cemetery The Block-House The Point The Strength of Stone The Toll House Thornhill Mansion Tomlinson Mansion Trinity Episcopal Church and Rectory U.S.S. Cisco Memorial Vanwinkle-Herceg House Vital Transportation Center Volcano, West Virginia W.H. Smith Hardware Co. Walker Creek Recreation Impoundment Washington Bottom Welcome West Virginia's First Governor / Parkersburg Governors Wetherell's Jewelers Clock William Cooper Stiles, Jr. William L. “Mudwall” Jackson Williamstown Windmill Quaker State Women of Courage Wood County 911 Memorial Wood County Court House Wood County Veterans Memorial
Wood County, West Virginia has a rich and diverse history, dating back to its formation in 1798. The area was initially inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Shawnee and Delaware, who utilized the region for hunting and gathering. European settlers began to arrive in the late 18th century, drawn by the fertile land and abundant natural resources.

During the early years, the region was mainly a frontier outpost where settlers faced various hardships and conflicts with Native tribes. However, as time went on, the area grew in population and economic importance. The construction of the Northwestern Turnpike in the early 19th century facilitated trade and transportation, leading to further development.

The county's economy primarily relied on agricultural activities, with farming and livestock rearing being the main sources of income for many residents. The late 19th and early 20th centuries brought significant industrialization to Wood County, with the discovery of oil and gas reserves. This led to the establishment of several oil wells and refineries, providing employment opportunities and boosting the local economy.

However, the area also faced its fair share of challenges over the years. Like much of the United States, Wood County experienced the devastating effects of the Great Depression in the 1930s. Nevertheless, the region managed to recover and adapt to changing economic conditions, diversifying its industries and promoting tourism to bolster its economy.

Today, Wood County is a vibrant community that blends its rich historical heritage with modern amenities. It is known for its natural beauty, with parks, rivers, and outdoor recreational activities aplenty. The county continues to attract visitors and residents alike, as it combines a small-town charm with a thriving economy and a strong sense of community spirit.
Brief timeline of the history of Wood County, West Virginia:

  • 1798: Wood County is established by the Virginia General Assembly as a part of Virginia
  • 1800: The first permanent settlement is established by Alexander Parker, making it the oldest European-American settlement in present-day Wood County
  • 1835: The first oil well in the United States is drilled in Burning Springs, Wood County
  • 1863: West Virginia is admitted to the Union during the American Civil War, and Wood County becomes a part of the new state
  • 1871: Completion of the Parkersburg-Belpre Bridge, connecting Parkersburg, West Virginia, and Belpre, Ohio
  • 1906: Construction of the Little Kanawha River Navigation System begins, allowing for transportation of goods along the river
  • 1927: The Blennerhassett Hotel, a historic landmark, opens in downtown Parkersburg
  • 1967: The West Virginia Interstate 77 Bridge, commonly known as the Parkersburg Bridge, is completed, providing a vital connection for interstate travel
  • 1990: The Parkersburg National Register Historic District is established, recognizing the historical significance of the city's architecture and landmarks

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Wood County, West Virginia.