Parkersburg in Wood County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
The Beautiful Ohio River
Fort Boreman Historical Park
Fort Boreman was constructed during the Civil War on what was then called Mount Logan. The site commanded a stunning view of the river which was vital to riverboat transportation and critical to the war effort. Because of the bend in the river at Parkersburg, no other location in the Mid-Ohio Valley provided such a wide-ranging view. Before the railroad bridge was completed in 1872, railcars of the Northwestern Virginia Railroad and the Marietta-Cincinnati Railroad had to be uncoupled, ferried across the river and reassembled on the other side.
Across from the confluence of the Ohio and Little Kanawha Rivers lies historic Belpre, OH, the second oldest permanent settlement in the Northwest Territory. Settled in 1789 by members of the Ohio Company of Associates, the town was actually surveyed the year before as Belle Prairie, which is French for "beautiful meadow.” During the Indian Wars that followed, the earliest settlers lived in a blockhouse known as "Farmer's Castle."
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Railroads & Streetcars • War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1872.
Location. 39° 15.761′ N, 81° 34.171′ W. Marker is in Parkersburg, West Virginia, in Wood County. Marker is on Fort Boreman Drive, one mile south of Robert Byrd Highway (U.S. 50), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Parkersburg WV 26101, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Historic Parkersburg (West) Virginia (here, next to this marker); Historic Blennerhassett Island (a few steps from this marker); Parkersburg and the Civil War (a few steps from this marker); Fort Boreman (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Fort Boreman (within shouting distance of this marker); William L. “Mudwall” Jackson (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome (within shouting distance of this marker); Parkersburg in 1861 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Parkersburg.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Old Marker At This Location also titled ""The Beautiful Ohio River".
Also see . . . Fort Boreman Park. City of Parkersburg Parks & Recreation (Submitted on January 8, 2022.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 9, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 8, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 481 times since then and 78 times this year. Last updated on January 9, 2022, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 8, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.