Glenville in Gilmer County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Glenville

Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 14, 2008

1. Glenville Marker

Photo of the marker at its original location,

Inscription. Here was written “The West Virginia Hills,” State song. This was the home of William Perry Brown, author of three score books for children, and for many years one of the most popular writer for the old “Youth’s Companion.”

Erected by West Virginia Archives and History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music. In addition, it is included in the West Virginia Archives and History series list.

Location. 38° 56.024′ N, 80° 50.245′ W. Marker is in Glenville, West Virginia, in Gilmer County. It is on East Main Street (U.S. 33) south of South Lewis Street (U.S. 33), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 11 E Main St, Glenville WV 26351, 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 Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and

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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: A different marker also named Glenville (here, next to this marker); WV Rosie the Riveter Bell (a few steps from this marker); Gilmer County Veterans Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Gilmer Rifles (about 600 feet away); Arbuckle House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Glenville State College (approx. 0.2 miles away); Clemons Tower (approx. 0.2 miles away); Glenville State Teachers College (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Glenville.

More about this marker. This marker was originally located near 38° 56.268′ N, 80° 49.962′ W. It was on North Lewis Street (U.S. 33) east of Main Street, on the left when traveling east.

Regarding Glenville. Glenville State College, founded in 1872, is located here. “The West Virginia Hills” was adopted as the state song in 1961.

Also see . . .
1. The West Virginia Hills. Words by Ellen Rudell King, Music by Howard

Original Location of the Glenville Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 14, 2008

2. Original Location of the Glenville Marker

This photograph shows it on U.S. 33, east of town.

Everett Engle. This page shows lyrics, has a MIDI file with the music. “Oh, the West Virginia hills! How majestic and how grand, / With their summits bathed in glory, like our Prince Immanuel’s Land! / Is it any wonder then, that my heart with rapture thrills, / As I stand once more with loved ones on those West Virginia hills? ” (Submitted on December 6, 2008.)

2. Adoption of the State Song. “On September 25, 1885 a poem appeared in the Glenville Cresent. The poem was attributed to Ellen Rudell King. It seems a little silly today, but there is some question about who really wrote the poem. Some say that it was actually written by Mrs. King. Others suggest that her husband, the Reverend David H. King, wrote the poem for his wife Ellen. Still others suggest that Mrs. King wrote the song and Mr. King polished it up.” (Submitted on December 6, 2008.)

3. Brown, William Perry. from the Northern Illinois University Libraries Beadle and Adams Dime Novel Digitization Project. “He wrote short stories and poems for various weeklies and magazines, including the Springfield Republican, Ainslee’s
Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 26, 2021

3. “West Virginia Hills”
The chorus of the state song found on a plaque at a wayside on Route 20 entering Webster County.
Magazine, Golden Days, the Youth's Companion, Woman’s World, Chicago Ledger, Banner Weekly, Housewife, People’s Home Journal, Southern Magazine, Brooklyn Magazine, and various outdoor magazines, such as Forest and Stream. He went to Glenville, West Virginia, in 1888, and was there married, September 3, 1890, to Emma E. Hays. From 1890 to 1892 he was associated with Sam Walter Foss as editor of the Yankee Blade (Boston). After 1892, he resumed his free-lance writing until shortly before his death. He died in Glenville, September 4, 1923...” (Submitted on December 6, 2008.)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 6, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,692 times since then and 35 times this year. Last updated on January 6, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 6, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 3. submitted on January 7, 2022, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photos of the marker at its current location • Can you help?