Romney in Hampshire County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Old Literary Hall

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 28, 2020

1. Old Literary Hall Marker

Inscription. Literary Society of Romney organized in 1819, oldest in the state and one of the first in America. A splendid Public Library was accumulated which by 1850 was the largest in West Virginia. Destroyed during the War Between the States in 1862. Cornerstone of original building dated 1825. Restored by Attorney Ralph W. Haines for law offices and historic museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Education • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1819.

Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 39° 20.499′ N, 78° 45.384′ W. Marker was in Romney, West Virginia, in Hampshire County. It was at the intersection of South High Street (West Virginia Route 28) and Main Street (U.S. 50) on South High Street. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 18 S High St, Romney WV 26757, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in the Eastern Panhandle.

It was also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally,

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it was in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

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

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Hampshire County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Romney / Early Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Romney in 1861–1865 / “Stonewall” Jackson (within shouting distance of this marker); Hampshire County World War I Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Gilbert Proctor Miller (within shouting distance of this marker); Lieutenant John Blue (within shouting distance of this marker); Literary Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Romney in Union Hands (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Romney.

Regarding Old Literary Hall. Literary Hall is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Old Literary Hall image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Phyllis Prats, June 11, 2006

2. Old Literary Hall

Photographed by Craig Doda, July 23, 2022

3. Old Literary Hall Marker

Photographed by Phyllis Prats

4. Old Literary Hall Marker

Upturned Plinth Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Phyllis Prats, June 11, 2006

5. Upturned Plinth Monument

It reads Romney Literary Society. Founded 1819. Restored by Ralph W. Haines

Photographed by Phyllis Prats, June 11, 2006

6. Upturned Plinth Monument

National Register of Historic Places plaque on the building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 28, 2020

7. National Register of Historic Places plaque on the building

Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, June 4, 2023

8. Old Literary Hall Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 27, 2006, by Phyllis Prats of Springfield, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,459 times since then and 54 times this year. Last updated on August 12, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. Photos: 1. submitted on May 29, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2. submitted on July 27, 2006, by Phyllis Prats of Springfield, Virginia. 3. submitted on August 12, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 27, 2006, by Phyllis Prats of Springfield, Virginia. 7. submitted on May 29, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 8. submitted on May 31, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.