 Neighbors:
VAGenWeb,
KYGenWeb,
OHGenWeb,
and
PAGenWeb |
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When the state of Virginia voted to secede from
the United States during the Civil War
(1861-65), the people of the rugged and
mountainous western region of the state opposed
the decision and organized to form their own
state, West Virginia, in support of the Union.
Congress granted statehood to West Virginia on
June 20, 1863. The West Virginia town of Harpers
Ferry was the site of John Brown’s ill-fated
1859 raid on the federal armory there. Although
Brown’s plan to arm a large-scale revolt of
enslaved people with weapons from the armory
ultimately failed. Brown was hanged, the raid
did succeed in inflaming white Southern fears of
rebellions and increased the mounting tension
between North and South prior to the Civil War.
Today, West Virginia is a major coal-producing
state, supplying 15 percent of the nation’s
coal. The New River Gorge Bridge near
Fayetteville is the longest steel arch bridge in
the world. Every October, the town hosts a
Bridge Day celebration when the road is closed
to traffic and individuals are allowed to
parachute and bungee jump off the bridge; the
event attracts close to 100,000 participants and
spectators each year. Famous West Virginia
natives include actor Don Knotts, gymnast Mary
Lou Retton and test pilot Chuck Yeager.
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