Randolph County, West Virginia

1841 County Jail Adam Crawford House All Veterans Memorial Army Headquarters 1861 / Huttonsville Artillery Asa Gray / Buffalo-Indian Trail Astride the Road from Nowhere Battle of Rich Mountain Battle Of Rich Mountain Behind the Parapet Benjamin Wilson Beverly Beverly Beverly Bank Beverly Cemetery Beverly Covered Bridge Beverly Methodist Church Beverly Public Square Big Lime Big Lime and Big Injun Birkett-Cresap Bishop Asbury Blackman-Bosworth Store Blackman-Strader Bushrod Crawford Building Cabin Remains Camp Elkwater Camp Garnett Cheat Summit Camp Cheat Summit Fort Col. Benjamin Wilson Cornerstone of Wilson's Fort Crawford Scott Crozet - Chenoweth / Rich Mountain David Goff House Edward Hart House Elkins Elkwater / Col. J. A. Washington Fortifications General George B. McClellan General William S. Rosecrans Guarding the Turnpike Gum Hart / Collett House H.W. Daniels Post No. 29 Helvetia Helvetia Henry Gassaway Davis Hill Building Historic Beverly Antique Mall Humboldt Yokum House Huttonsville Huttonsville Isaac Baker House Jacob Stalnaker Jr. Cabin Jimtown / Phillips Cemetery Jonathan Arnold House Kump House / Herman Guy Kump Laura Jackson Arnold Lee's Headquarters Lemuel Chenoweth Lemuel Chenoweth House Mingo Flats Mt. Iser Cemetery Occupied Beverly Old Brick Church Pendleton County / Randolph County Peter Buckey House Pocahontas County/Randolph County Presbyterian Church Public Education in Beverly, VA-WV Beginning 1858 Randolph Co Jail - 1813 Randolph Co. Courthouse Randolph County / Tucker County Randolph County Jail Randolph County Veterans Memorial Rich Mountain Rich Mountain / Hart House Robert Foyles & Family Rosser's Raid Rowan House Shavers Fork Site of Old Hart House Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike Stephen Benton Elkins / Halliehurst The Conley Graves The Darden Mill The First Campaign The Hart House The Railroad Builds Elkins The Stable Yard Tory Camps / Seneca Trail Tygart Valley Homesteads U.S. Homestead Upshur County / Randolph County Valley Head War in West Virginia We Will Never Forget. Welcome to Rich Mountain Battlefield West Virginia Historic New Deal / CCC Trail Western Maryland Railway Honor Roll Working the Railyard “Lest We Forget That Peace Has a Price”
Randolph County, West Virginia, has a rich and varied history that spans several centuries. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Seneca and Shawnee, who hunted and fished along the rivers and lived off the land. In the late 1700s, European settlers began to arrive, attracted by the abundant natural resources and fertile land.

The county was officially established in 1787 and named after Edmund Jennings Randolph, the first Attorney General of the United States. The early years were marked by conflicts with Native American tribes and the establishment of fortresses for protection, such as Fort Strader. During the American Civil War, Randolph County was divided in its loyalties, with some residents supporting the Union and others the Confederacy. This led to a number of skirmishes and raids throughout the region.

Following the war, Randolph County experienced economic growth and development. The timber industry became a major source of income, with numerous sawmills and logging operations established throughout the county. The railroad arrived in the late 1800s, bringing further economic opportunities and connecting Randolph County to larger markets.

Today, Randolph County is known for its stunning natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities. The county is home to parts of the Monongahela National Forest, providing abundant opportunities for hiking, camping, fishing, and hunting. The town of Elkins, which serves as the county seat, has a vibrant arts and culture scene and is home to Davis & Elkins College. Randolph County continues to evolve and thrive, maintaining a balance between preserving its history and embracing new opportunities for growth.
Brief timeline of the history of Randolph County, West Virginia:

  • 1787: Randolph County, WV is established on October 16th as part of Virginia.
  • 1808: The town of Beverly is incorporated.
  • 1861: West Virginia secedes from Virginia and becomes a separate state during the Civil War.
  • 1864: The Battle of Rich Mountain takes place in Randolph County during the Civil War.
  • 1900: The City of Elkins is incorporated.
  • 1935: The Monongahela National Forest is established, including parts of Randolph County.
  • 1968: The Tygart Valley Homesteads are added to the National Register of Historic Places.
  • 1989: The Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad begins excursion train rides in Randolph County.
  • 1998: The Mountain State Forest Festival celebrates its 62nd year in Elkins.
  • 2019: Randolph County celebrates its 232nd anniversary.

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