Marion County, West Virginia

200 Sycamores A. Brooks Fleming House Alpheus F. Haymond / Thomas S. Haymond Attack on Fairmont Barrackville Covered Bridge Battle for the Bridge Battle Of Fairmont Boaz Fleming Boothsville Captain James Booth Chief Amos Andrews Morris Colonel Zackwill Morgan Confederate Cemetery Coon’s Fort David Morgan David Morgan (1721–1813) / Patriot, Defender East/West Stadium Fairmont Fairmont Normal School Administration Building Fairmont State College Farmington Disaster Farmington No. 9 Mine Memorial First Father's Day Service Fort Pawpaw Francis H. Pierpont Francis H. Pierpont Home Gold Star Families Memorial Monument Gold Star Mothers Graves of the Pierponts Hamilton Round Barn Harrison County / Marion County High-Level / Million Dollar Robert H. Mollohan Bridge High-Level / Million Dollar Robert H. Mollohan Bridge Highgate Carriage House In Loving Memory Indian Raid Italian-American Immigrants Memorial Bell Job Prickett House Johnnie Johnson Jones' Raid Julia Robertson Pierpont Korean War Memorial Lenna Lowe Yost Mannington / Flaggy Meadow Mannington Municipal Building Marion County / Monongalia County Marion County / Wetzel County Marion County Courthouse Marion County Veterans Monongah Disaster Monongah Heroine Monongah Mine Disaster Memorial NASA Original Saint Anthony Church Bell Owen (Mac) McCafferty Pepperoni Roll Pricketts Fort Prickett's Fort Prickett’s Fort Sheriff's House Somehow The Colonel George S. "Spanky" Roberts, USAF Memorial Bridge The Colonel George S. “Spanky” Roberts, USAF Memorial Bridge The Original Dunbar School The Sesquicentennial of Christ Episcopal Church To the Founders of the West Virginia State Medical Association Organized at Fairmont Valley Falls Whip and Grist Mill Veterans Memorial Veterans Memorial Veterans Memorial Veterans Memorial Veterans Memorial Veterans Memorial Veterans Memorial Veterans Memorial Veterans Memorial Veterans Memorial Veterans Memorial Veterans Memorial Veterans Memorial Veterans Memorial Veterans Memorial Veterans Monument Veterans Square Vietnam Veterans Memorial Vietnam Veterans Memorial Vietnam Veterans Memorial Swinging Bridge Waitman T. Willey Woodlawn Cemetery Chapel Woodlawn Cemetery Historic District World War II Memorial "The Purple Heart"
Marion County, located in West Virginia, has a rich and diverse history. It was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, particularly the Shawnee and Delaware peoples, who relied on the area's abundant natural resources for sustenance. European settlers arrived in the 18th century, with the establishment of Fort Pigott in 1774 playing a significant role in the region's early history.

The county's economy initially centered around agriculture, including farming and livestock raising. However, with the arrival of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in the early 1850s, industrialization began to take hold. Coal mining soon became a key industry, and Marion County emerged as one of the state's major coal-producing regions.

The county experienced significant growth during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Many immigrants, primarily from Europe, arrived to work in the rapidly expanding coal mines. This influx led to a diverse cultural mix, with different ethnic communities forming distinctive neighborhoods and contributing to the area's development.

In the 20th century, Marion County's economy continued to revolve around coal mining, but also expanded into other industries, such as glass manufacturing and chemical production. The county played a role in the labor struggles of the time, particularly during the Coal Wars of the 1920s, when miners fought for better working conditions and wages.

Today, Marion County retains its ties to its industrial past while striving for diversification. The area is known for its natural beauty, with outdoor activities such as hiking in Valley Falls State Park and fishing in the Monongahela River attracting visitors. Despite challenges in the coal industry, Marion County continues to adapt and look towards the future while preserving its rich history.
Brief timeline of the history of Marion County, West Virginia:

  • 1835: Marion County is established by an act of the Virginia General Assembly.
  • 1836: The county seat, named Fairmont, is established.
  • 1852: Coal mining begins in the county, transforming its economy.
  • 1861-1865: Marion County is deeply affected by the American Civil War.
  • 1885: The first glass factory, Fairmont Glass Works, is established.
  • 1892: The first electric streetcar line is introduced in Fairmont.
  • 1907: The original Marion County Courthouse is completed.
  • 1940s: Fairmont becomes a thriving industrial center.
  • 1960s: Decline of the coal mining industry impacts the county.
  • 1978: The state's first community and technical college, Fairmont State Community & Technical College, is established.
  • 1995: The new Marion County Courthouse is dedicated, replacing the original.
  • 2004: High technology and biotechnology sectors begin to grow in the county.

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

Audiobooks about the history of West Virginia.