Grafton in Taylor County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Grafton

Railroad Town

— The First Campaign —

Grafton Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 22, 2014

1. Grafton Marker

Inscription. Grafton was a key transportation hub in Western Virginia. The Northwestern Virginia Railroad went to Parkersburg nearly 100 miles west. At Grafton, the Northwestern Virginia Railroad joined the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O). On the B&O, the distance to Wheeling was about 100 miles and the distance to Harper’s Ferry was about 197 miles.

The Northwestern Turnpike ran through town. From here, the Fairmont-Beverly Pike continued south through Philippi and intersected the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike at Beverly. In May 1861, Union troops poured into Grafton to protect the B&O Railroad. Here at the Grafton Hotel, they prepared for the Battle of Philippi.

Grafton was a major supply depot that supported Union troops fighting in Western Virginia. Throughout the Civil War, thousands of troops and tons of war supplies moved through this town. A general military hospital was located in the area of Walnut Street.

Erected by West Virginia Civil War Trail.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1861.

Location. 39° 20.492′ N, 80° 1.324′ W. Marker has been reported unreadable. Marker is in Grafton, West Virginia, in Taylor County. Marker is on West Main Street (U.S.

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119) west of St. John Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Grafton WV 26354, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Welcome To Historic Grafton West Virginia (a few steps from this marker); Colerider Block (within shouting distance of this marker); Taylor County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Loar Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Jolliffe Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Brinkman Block (about 400 feet away); Merchants & Mechanics Savings Bank (about 400 feet away); The First Campaign (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grafton.

More about this marker. Marker contains a drawing of the town on the bottom and a map of the area in the upper right showing your location and the location of other nearby Civil War sites on the First Campaign Trail.

Also see . . . Taylor County WV in the Civil War. Excerpt: “While Latham was in Wheeling, two Confederate companies from Taylor County, one under the command of Captain John A. Robinson and one under George W. Hansbrough, and a company from Clarksburg under the command of William P. Cooper, rendezvoused at Fetterman. Led by Colonel Porterfield, the whole force marched

Grafton Marker at Small Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 22, 2014

2. Grafton Marker at Small Park

This was the location of the Grafton Hotel mentioned on the marker. It is across the street from the Taylor County Courthouse.

through the streets of Grafton to demonstrate the strength of the Confederacy. Upon arriving at Latham's residence, Captain Robinson stopped and ordered a detail to tear down the flag waving over the door. Upon hearing this insult to the flag, a young man named George Jordan standing on a nearby porch, hurled a chair at Robinson, knocking him off his horse into the dust of the street. As Robinson angrily picked himself up, he noticed numerous rifles pointed out windows and from rooftops and decided at once to retreat back to Fetterman.” (Submitted on July 3, 2014, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.)

Taylor County Court-House, Grafton, West Virginia image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 22, 2014

3. Taylor County Court-House, Grafton, West Virginia

Photographed By Bradley Owen, June 21, 2021

4. Grafton Marker

Text is completely missing; marker is white.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 22, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 3, 2014, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 587 times since then and 23 times this year. Last updated on June 21, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 3, 2014, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 4. submitted on June 21, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.