Beckley in Raleigh County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

State Police Radio Station And Barracks

Photographed by Craig Doda

1. State Police Radio Station And Barracks Marker

Inscription. On October 7, 1939, station WBSP went live, part of a new shortwave communication system throughout the state. Within nine months, in late-June 1940, Company D occupied new, state-owned "barracks here. Partially funded by WPA grants, the milestones reflected the change of the state police from roving force to a more permanently based and modernized law enforcement agency.

Erected 2019 by West Virginia Archives & History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Law Enforcement. In addition, it is included in the West Virginia Archives and History, and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is October 7, 1939.

Location. 37° 46.822′ N, 81° 9.984′ W. Marker is in Beckley, West Virginia, in Raleigh County. It is on S. Eisenhower Drive (U.S. 19), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Beckley WV 25801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Virginia’s New River Gorge.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Green Beret Birthplace (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pinecrest Sanitarium (approx. ¼ mile away); Airport Hangar and Office (approx. 0.3 miles away); Beckley Mill (approx. 0.6 miles away); Civil War Site

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(approx. 0.7 miles away); Old Bluestone Road (approx. 0.7 miles away); Clarence W. Meadows (approx. 0.7 miles away); Alfred Beckley / Wildwood (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Beckley.

Photographed by Craig Doda

2. State Police Radio Station And Barracks Marker

State Police Radio Station And Barracks image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda

3. State Police Radio Station And Barracks

Dedication of State Police Radio Station And Barracks Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Davis, May 2, 2019

4. Dedication of State Police Radio Station And Barracks Marker

From left: F/Sgt. Chris Kane, Capt. Shallon Oglesby and Capt. Tommy Williams

Credits. This page was last revised on November 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 532 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 19, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 4. submitted on July 10, 2021, by Merle T. Cole of Daniels, West Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.