Fayette County, West Virginia

A Commercial Center A Railroad Town A Tale of Two Towns A Town Built on Top of Itself A Vital Link Abraham Vandal Ancient Works Andrew & Charles Lewis March Army Camp Bailey Row Bank of Glen Jean Battle of Fayetteville Battle of Fayetteville Battles For The Bridges Camp Reynolds Camp Washington Carver Changing Town Christopher H. Payne Christopher Q. Tompkins / Gauley Mount Coal Camp History Community Life in a Coal Camp Contentment Did You Know? Disaster Underground DuBois High School Dubois School History Enduring Beauty Fayette County / Kanawha County Fayette County / Raleigh County Fayette County Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial Fayetteville Fayetteville Korean War Memorial Fayetteville Town Park From Coal Mining to Rock Climbing Fueling Up Trains Gauley Bridge Gauley Bridge War Memorial Gen. Robert E. Lee Glen Jean Glen Jean Athletic Club Growth of an Era Hank Williams Memorial Hank Williams — The Last Ride Hawks Nest Strike Hawk's Nest Tunnel Disaster Hawk's Nest Tunnel Disaster Hawk’s Nest Hawk’s Nest Tunnel History Around the Cupola Indirect Firing Jackson's Mother Kaymoor One Mine Labor Strikes and Conflicts Layland Mine Disaster Marquis de Lafayette Montgomery Montgomery Mossy Mount Hope Coal History Mount Hope Early Town History Mount Hope Landmarks Mount Hope School History Mountain Haulage Nallen / Wilderness Lumber Company Natural Renewal New Haven Veterans' Memorial New River New River Gorge Bridge New River Gorge National River New River Gorge Scenic Drives Oak Hill Railroad Depot Oakwood Mine Complex Old Stone House Play Ball! Quinnimont Missionary Baptist Church Salt Sand Sewell Mountain Campaign Smoke, Coke, Coal, and Kaymoor Spanning the Gorge Spy Rock The Bridge The Bridge The Coal Barons The Deceptive Forest The Heart of Town The Railroad Was the Town The Rebirth of Paint Creek The Right for Safety and Equality The White Oak Valley Thurmond Depot Thurmond, West Virginia Thurmond’s Decline Townsend's Ferry Trail to Bridge Overlook Tyree Tavern Vandalia Cemetery Welcome to New River Gorge National River West Virginia Institute of Technology Westlake Cemetery Where It All Started William Nelson Page Working In a Coal Mine World War I Memorial "Halfway House"
Fayette County, WV is located in the southern part of the state and has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Shawnee and Cherokee, who utilized its resources for hunting and farming. In the late 1600s, European explorers such as John Peter Salling began to venture into the region, establishing contact with the native populations.

The county's European settlement began in the mid-18th century when William Morris and his family arrived and built a cabin near what is now Fayetteville. Throughout the following decades, more pioneers and adventurers made their way to the area, attracted by the fertile land and natural resources such as timber and coal. The county was officially established in 1831 and named after the Marquis de Lafayette, a French military hero of the American Revolutionary War.

The arrival of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad in the late 19th century played a significant role in Fayette County's development. The railroad brought enhanced transportation options, allowing for the growth of industries like coal mining and timber harvesting. With the exploitation of coal reserves, the population of the county dramatically increased as workers flocked in search of employment opportunities.

Fayette County also played a significant role in the Civil War. Due to its location on the border between Union and Confederate territories, the area witnessed multiple conflicts. Notably, the Battle of Fayetteville took place in September 1862, where Union forces successfully repelled a Confederate attack, securing control of the area. The county's history is also intertwined with the rise of the labor movement, as coal miners organized strikes and fought for better working conditions in the early 20th century.

Today, Fayette County is known for its natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities. With attractions like the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, the region has become a popular destination for hiking, rock climbing, whitewater rafting, and more. The county's history, rooted in the interactions between Native Americans, European settlers, and the coal mining industry, remains a significant part of its identity.
Brief timeline of the history of Fayette County, West Virginia:

  • 1831 - Fayette County is established by the Virginia General Assembly.
  • 1839 - The town of Fayetteville is founded and becomes the county seat.
  • 1863 - During the American Civil War, the Battle of Fayetteville takes place.
  • 1873 - The Cunard Lock and Dam is completed on the New River.
  • 1888 - The Chesapeake and Ohio Railway arrives in Fayette County.
  • 1890 - The Gauley Bridge disaster occurs, resulting in the deaths of over 100 workers.
  • 1930 - The New River Gorge Bridge is completed, becoming an iconic landmark.
  • 1969 - The Babcock State Park is opened to the public.
  • 1978 - The New River Gorge National River is established, preserving the natural and cultural resources of the area.
  • 2008 - The American National Park Service designates the New River Gorge as a National Park.

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