Grafton in Taylor County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Forcella Buildings
Photographed by Bradley Owen, July 6, 2021
1. Forcella Buildings Marker
This and the two buildings to the right were built by the Forcellas, a family of Italian immigrants, in 1914. In Italy their marriages were traditionally arranged; in the United States Columbia Forcella's union was also arranged. She married fellow Italian immigrant Dominic Bonafede who was nearly thirty years older than her.
Jim Forcella worked for the railroad but the rest of the family worked in the businesses housed in these three buildings which included a grocery store and barber shop. The family lived above their shops.
Erected by West Virginia Humanities Council and Taylor County Historical and Genealogical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1914.
Location. 39° 20.486′ N, 80° 1.435′ W. Marker is in Grafton, West Virginia, in Taylor County. It is on West Main Street (U.S. 119) 0.1 miles west of Ethel Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 253 W Main St, Grafton WV 26354, United States
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Regionally, this marker is in North Central West Virginia. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern 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: Bonafede Building (a few steps from this marker); Grafton Post Office (within shouting distance of this marker); Latrobe Street (within shouting distance of this marker); B&O Freight Station (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Taylor County Courthouse (about 400 feet away); Welcome To Historic Grafton West Virginia (about 500 feet away); Grafton (about 500 feet away); Colerider Block (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grafton.
More about this marker. The two buildings to the right mentioned on the marker have been torn down.
Photographed by Bradley Owen, July 6, 2021
2. Forcella Buildings Marker
Marker is located on the far right side of the building.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 16, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 381 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 13, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
