Landmarks in West Virginia

Andrews United Methodist Church and International Mother's Day Shrine

Grafton, Taylor County, West Virginia, 26354
The first Mother's Day was celebrated here on May 10, 1908 inspired by Ann Jarvis, who had been active in Mother's Day campaigns for peace and worker's safety and health since end of American Civil War.

Barrackville Covered Bridge

Barrackville, Marion County, West Virginia, 26452
Built in 1853 by Eli and Lemuel Chenoweth, well-known bridge builders of the time, the 148 feet span is now closed to motor traffic. It was restored in 1999.

Berkeley Castle

Berkely Springs (Bath), Morgan County, West Virginia, 25411
The 13 room cottage was built by Samuel Taylor Suit, the manufacturer of a popular whiskey. Begun in 1885, the "castle" became the local venue for galas and other events of the social elite.

Big Bend Tunnel

Talcott, Summers County, West Virginia, 24981
The tunnel is 6,500 feet long and was bored from 1870 to 1872. The legend of the race between John Henry and the steam powered drill began here. It is said that his ghost haunts the tunnel.

Bnai El Synagogue

Logan, Logan County, West Virginia, 25601
Dedicated in 1947, this was the first and only permanent synagogue building in the city of Logan. The congregation disbanded in 1992, and the building now serves as a day care center.

Bnai Jacob Synagogue

Charleston, Kanawha County, West Virginia, 25311
The Synagogue was built in 1948-1949 and is West Virginia's largest Synagogue. It's interior features unique glass windows, side seating with a 15-foot wide aisle and a daily chapel.

Camden Amusement Park

Huntington, Wayne County, West Virginia, 25704
The amusement park was originally developed as a picnic area by the Camden Interstate Railway in 1903. It now has over 30 rides and attractions. It is the only amusement park operating in the state of West Virginia.

Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park

Summersville, Nicholas County, West Virginia, 26651
Commemorating the Battle of Carnifex Ferry, this 156-acre park features the Patterson House Museum, three views of the Gauley River, hiking trails and picnic facilities. It is one of the oldest state parks in the United States.

Core Arboretum

Morgantown, Monongalia County, West Virginia, 26506
In 1948, Professor Earl Lemley Core convinced the president of West Virginia University to set some newly aquirered property aside for the study of biology and botany. In 1975 the arboretum was named in Core's honor.

Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park

Droop, Pocahontas County, West Virginia, 24946
Droop Mountain was the site of the last major conflict of the American Civil War in West Virginia. The battlefield was transformed into a historical, outdoor recreation area by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression.

Drover's Inn and Lodge

Wellsburg, Brooke County, West Virginia, 26070
The Lodge, an authentically restored 1790 log home, was built by Richard Starr and known as "The Old Star Tavern." William and John Fowler purchased the property and built Drovers Inn, which was completed in 1851.

Fairfax Stone Historical Monument

Davis, West Virginia
The Fairfax Stone was a surveyor's marker placed to settle a boundary dispute and to determine the proprietorship and boundaries of a large tract of largely unsurveyed land in the colonies of Maryland and Virginia during the Survey of 1736/37.

Hancock County Historical Museum (Marshall House)

New Cumberland, Hancock County, West Virginia, 26047
Built by Oliver S. Marshall in 1887, this house was inhabited by his family until his daughter, Virginia, died in 1996. A good example of Victorian living, the house is now open by appointment by the Historical Society.

Homer Laughlin China Company

Newell, Hancock County, West Virginia, 26050
Initially began as Laughlin Pottery in East Liverpool, Ohio, the company was started in 1871 by brothers Shakespeare and Homer Laughlin. By the late 1920s all production was centered at the West Virginia factory and the Ohio site was abandoned.

Mount de Chantal Visitation Academy

Wheeling, Ohio County, West Virginia, 26003
Founded in 1848, Mount de Chantal Visitation Academy is a private Catholic school. Grades seven through twelve are all female and the Montessori and Elementary schools are co-ed. The school has announced that it will cease operations on May 31, 2008.

Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort

Chester, Hancock County, West Virginia, 26034
The track was known as Waterford Park prior to 1990. In 1994, the track was authorized to have slot machines. The Mountaineer now has casino table games, a convention center and entertainment venue called "The Harv."

North Central West Virginia Airport (CKB)

Rosemont, Harrison County, West Virginia, 26330
The airport first opened in 1935 as the Tri-County Airport, a joint effort of Harrison, Marion and Taylor County. It has also been called Benedum Airport and Harrison-Marion Regional Airport.

Peter Tarr Furnace

Hancock County, West Virginia
Built in 1794, this is reported to be the first Iron Furnace west of the Alleghanies. As well as making cooking utensils and iron grates, this furnace also cast the cannonballs used by Commodore Oliver H. Perry in the 1813 Battle of Lake Erie.

Tomlinson Run State Park

Hancock County, West Virginia
Tomlinson Run State Park sits on 1,398-acres (5.66 km�) along the small Ohio River tributary of the same name. The park may be the only place in West Virginia that offers overnight accommodations in a yurt.

Weirton Area Museum and Cultural Center

Weirton, Hancock County, West Virginia, 26062
Opened in July, 2006, the museum is dedicated to the local history and culture of Weirton and the surrounding communities. It has displays on the steel industry and owns many documents and yearbooks from local schools.

West Virginia State Capitol

Charleston, Kanawha County, West Virginia, 25305
The WV Capitol took eight years to complete. It was constructed in three stages. The west wing was built in 1924-25; the east wing was constructed in 1926-27; and the rotunda connecting the wings was completed in 1930-32.

West Virginia State Penitentiary

Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia, 26041
This gothic structure operated as a penitentiary from 1876 to 1995. Courts ruled that the 5 x 7-foot (2.1 m) cells were cruel and unusual punishment and the prison was closed. The site is now maintained as a tourist attraction and training facility.

World's Largest Teapot

Chester, Hancock County, West Virginia, 26034
Originally a giant Hires Root Beer barrel, the landmark was brought to Chester in 1938 and converted to a teapot. At the time, Chester and the surrounding communities were home to the largest pottery industry in the world.