Philippi Historic District
a.k.a. See Also:Peck-Crim-Chesser House;Barbour County Courthouse;P
Roughly bounded by Pike, High, Walnut, Wolfe, Main, Wilson Sts., and Tygart Valley River, Philippi, WVThe Philippi Historic District is composed of commercial and residential resources that form, under criterion c, a significant ensemble of 19th and early 20th-century architecture in a small Appalachian county seat centered about a distinctive town square. These resources include a highly significant structure, the 1852 Philippi covered bridge, and street furniture such as iron for retaining walls. The historic district has achieved additional significance under Criterion A as the site of the first land battle of the American Civil War, and as the focal point in and about the town square of long-standing political and governmental operations of the town and Barbour County.
Philippi, the county seat of Barbour County, is located on the Tygart Valley River, named after David Tygart, an early settler in the Beverly area, and was chartered in 1844 and incorporated in 1905. The first settlers of the area were Richard, Cotteral, Charity Talbot, and their mother. They settled on Hacker's Creek two miles northwest of the present town of Philippi in 1780. The first settlement on the present site of the town was built in 1780 by William Anglin when he located his cabin on the track of 400 acres he owned. The place initially called Anglin's Ford, passed through the hands of John Wilson, Daniel Booth, Judge Duncan, Eli Butcher, Elmore Hart, Thomas H. Height, and William Wilson, who, in 1843, laid out the plan for the town of Philippi. Under the ownership of Daniel Booth in 1800, the town's name was changed to Booth's Ferry. The ferry played an important part in transportation across the river until the covered bridge was built in 1852. Meanwhile, the town again changed hands and at the time Barbour County was formed in 1843, it belonged to William F. Wilson and William Shaw.
The town was renamed Philippi for Phillip Pendleton Barbour, an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. It was originally to be named Phillipa- the feminine form of Phillip in conformity with the Latin language. But because of misspellings and misunderstanding of the origin of the name (confusing it with the ancient city in Macedonia) the city was finally named Philippi.
The first land battle of the Civil War was fought here on June 3, 1861, and is known as the "Philippi Races" because of the speed with which the Confederate forces under colonel George A. Porterfied retreated when routed at dawn by Federal troops under colonel B. F. Kelley. The attack was launched by the Federals to protect and retain control of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, the main line of communication between Washington and the West.
Philippi is also the home of Alderson-Broaddus College, a co-educational Baptist-affiliated institution established in 1873.
Local significance of the district:
Philippi, the county seat of Barbour County, is located on the Tygart Valley River, named after David Tygart, an early settler in the Beverly area, and was chartered in 1844 and incorporated in 1905. The first settlers of the area were Richard, Cotteral, Charity Talbot, and their mother. They settled on Hacker's Creek two miles northwest of the present town of Philippi in 1780. The first settlement on the present site of the town was built in 1780 by William Anglin when he located his cabin on the track of 400 acres he owned. The place initially called Anglin's Ford, passed through the hands of John Wilson, Daniel Booth, Judge Duncan, Eli Butcher, Elmore Hart, Thomas H. Height, and William Wilson, who, in 1843, laid out the plan for the town of Philippi. Under the ownership of Daniel Booth in 1800, the town's name was changed to Booth's Ferry. The ferry played an important part in transportation across the river until the covered bridge was built in 1852. Meanwhile, the town again changed hands and at the time Barbour County was formed in 1843, it belonged to William F. Wilson and William Shaw.
The town was renamed Philippi for Phillip Pendleton Barbour, an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. It was originally to be named Phillipa- the feminine form of Phillip in conformity with the Latin language. But because of misspellings and misunderstanding of the origin of the name (confusing it with the ancient city in Macedonia) the city was finally named Philippi.
The first land battle of the Civil War was fought here on June 3, 1861, and is known as the "Philippi Races" because of the speed with which the Confederate forces under colonel George A. Porterfied retreated when routed at dawn by Federal troops under colonel B. F. Kelley. The attack was launched by the Federals to protect and retain control of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, the main line of communication between Washington and the West.
Philippi is also the home of Alderson-Broaddus College, a co-educational Baptist-affiliated institution established in 1873.
Military; Politics/government; Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1990.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), a program established during the Great Depression to provide employment and training to young men, built many of West Virginia's state parks and recreational areas.
About Barbour County
Barbour County Timeline
Barbour County, located in West Virginia, has a rich and diverse history that spans several centuries. The area was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Shawnee and Delaware, who utilized the region's abundant natural resources for hunting, fishing, and gathering.
European settlers began arriving in the late 1770s, with the first permanent settlement established in 1780. The county was officially created in 1843, named after Philip Pendleton Barbour, an influential Virginia politician. During the 1800s, Barbour County became an important center for agriculture, logging, and later, coal mining.
Barbour County played an important role during the American Civil War. It was the site of several battles and skirmishes between Union and Confederate forces, including the Battle of Philippi in 1861, which is considered the first organized land battle of the war. Following the war, the county experienced economic growth as industries such as lumber and textiles flourished.
In the 20th century, Barbour County continued to evolve, with the advent of modern transportation and infrastructure. The construction of railroads allowed for easier access to markets, while the expansion of roads and bridges further connected the county to neighboring areas. Today, Barbour County is known for its scenic beauty, outdoor recreational opportunities, and tight-knit communities that preserve its historical heritage.
European settlers began arriving in the late 1770s, with the first permanent settlement established in 1780. The county was officially created in 1843, named after Philip Pendleton Barbour, an influential Virginia politician. During the 1800s, Barbour County became an important center for agriculture, logging, and later, coal mining.
Barbour County played an important role during the American Civil War. It was the site of several battles and skirmishes between Union and Confederate forces, including the Battle of Philippi in 1861, which is considered the first organized land battle of the war. Following the war, the county experienced economic growth as industries such as lumber and textiles flourished.
In the 20th century, Barbour County continued to evolve, with the advent of modern transportation and infrastructure. The construction of railroads allowed for easier access to markets, while the expansion of roads and bridges further connected the county to neighboring areas. Today, Barbour County is known for its scenic beauty, outdoor recreational opportunities, and tight-knit communities that preserve its historical heritage.
Barbour County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Barbour County, West Virginia.
- 1789: Barbour County is established as a county in what was then Virginia.
- 1820: Philippi becomes the county seat of Barbour County.
- 1861-1865: Barbour County is deeply affected by the American Civil War.
- 1863: The Battle of Philippi takes place, marking the first organized land action of the war.
- 1929: A flood devastates the communities in Barbour County.
- 1972: Audra State Park is established in the county.
- 1990: The Barbour County Historical Museum is opened in Philippi.