Madison in Boone County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Boone County Courthouse
Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 15, 2019
1. Boone County Courthouse Marker
Erected 2006 by Boone County Community & Econonic Development Office and West Virginia Division of Archives and History.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Political Subdivisions. In addition, it is included in the West Virginia Archives and History series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1921.
Location. 38° 3.984′ N, 81° 49.175′ W. Marker is in Madison, West Virginia, in Boone County. Marker is at the intersection of State Street (West Virginia Route 85) and Avenue C, on the left when traveling south on State Street. It is on the courthouse lawn. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 State St, Madison WV 25130, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Boon County World War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Madison (within shouting distance of this marker); Robert Hager
this page online
Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 15, 2019
2. Boone County Courthouse Marker
Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 15, 2019
3. Boone County Courthouse Marker
1987 bronze by Gary Prazen, photograph by J.J. Prats, July 15, 2019
4. The Sentinel
From the Smithsonian Art Inventories Catalog:
A standing figure of a miner. In his upraised proper right hand, he holds a rectangular container with a cap. His head is turned towards the container and he looks up at it. In his proper left hand, he clasps a tapered rod in front of him. The smaller end of the rod rests on the plinth beside his proper left foot. He wears a one-piece work suit, unbuttoned to the waist, with a shirt underneath. He wears a leather belt with several pouches and a battery pack attached on the rear. A cable runs from the battery pack to the lamp on his hard hat. He stands atop a rectangular stone base.
1987 bronze by Gary Prazen, photograph by J.J. Prats, July 15, 2019
5. The Sentinel
Figure is 6¾ feet tall on a 1½ foot granite base, sculpted by Gary Prazen in 1987 and unveiled here September 2, 1991.
He is holding a gas detector and is checking the mine for unsafe levels of lethal gasses. Some, like carbon monoxide, can silently sicken and kill a person. Others, like methane, can ignite and set the mine afire.
He is holding a gas detector and is checking the mine for unsafe levels of lethal gasses. Some, like carbon monoxide, can silently sicken and kill a person. Others, like methane, can ignite and set the mine afire.
1987 bronze by Gary Prazen, photograph by J.J. Prats, July 15, 2019
6. The Sentinel
“I am the Coal Miner of the Past, Present and Future. I represent all the coal miners of Boone County. I stand for freedom and safety in my job. I respect my fellow coal miners and the land that God has blessed us with. —Mrs. Atha’s 3rd Grade Class of 1990-91, Van Elementary School.”
From the Smithsonian Art Inventories Catalog:
From the Smithsonian Art Inventories Catalog:
The cost of the statue, $30,000, was raised by the Holmes Safety Association from contributions from business, education, private and political groups. A school project was held to compose the plaque text and Mrs. Athey's third grade class was judged the winner. The base and plaque were donated by Ira Handley of Handley Funeral Home in Danville. The statue commemorates the mining tradition of West Virginia and the 100,000 miners who lost their lives in this century. Boone is the largest coal-producing city in West Virginia.
Photographed By Craig Doda, July 22, 2022
7. Boone County Courthouse Marker
New paint.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 29, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 28, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 343 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 28, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 7. submitted on August 11, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio.
