Near Shinnston in Harrison County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Saltwell

Photographed by Bradley Owen, July 10, 2021

1. Saltwell Marker

Inscription. Village so named because of well drilled here in 1835 by Abraham and Peter Righter. The well reached a depth of 745 feet releasing natural gas. Often attributed to be first deep well drilled in United States. Water from such wells was reputed to have medicinal value. Some salt was produced here but these efforts were abandoned as Kanawha Valley production and influence increased.

Erected 1980 by West Virginia Department of Culture and History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Natural Resources • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the West Virginia Archives and History series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1835.

Location. 39° 21.756′ N, 80° 16.233′ W. Marker is near Shinnston, West Virginia, in Harrison County. It is on Saltwell Road (West Virginia Route 131) south of Coon Run Road (County Route 13/2), on the left when traveling north. The marker stands across the road from Saltwell Storage. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3377 Saltwell Rd, Shinnston WV 26431, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Virginia’s Little Kanawha Valley.

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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: In Memory of Aaron Smith (approx. 2.3 miles away); Haywood Junction State Police Camp (approx.

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2.4 miles away); Levi Shinn House - Built 1778 (approx. 2.4 miles away); Levi Shinn House (approx. 2.4 miles away); September 11, 2001 Memorial (approx. 2½ miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 2.8 miles away); Big Elm / Big Elm (approx. 2.9 miles away); Granville Davisson Hall (approx. 2.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Shinnston.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, July 10, 2021

2. Saltwell Marker

View is looking north.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 21, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 18, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,081 times since then and 88 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 18, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.