Kingwood in Preston County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Restoring the American Chestnut
Photographed by Bradley Owen, August 24, 2022
1. Restoring the American Chestnut Marker
The magnificent American chestnut tree (Castanea dentata) once dominated 200 million acres of the eastern United States.
Many uses of wood from these trees supported the U.S. economy and our way of life.
Chestnuts were a primary food source for wildlife, livestock and people. Roasted chestnuts were sold by street vendors.
In the late 1800s Cryphonectria parasitica, the fungal pathogen that causes chestnut blight, arrived from Asia. By 1950 it killed an estimated 4 billion trees.
The American Chestnut Foundation uses backcross breeding to produce blight-resistant American chestnuts, called Restoration Chestnuts 1.0.
The McGrew Society welcomes the addition of the American Chestnut trees to the J.C. McGrew's historic grove of trees, which includes five state champions.
Erected by The American Chestnut Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1950.
Location. 39° 28.339′ N, 79° 41.2′ W. Marker is in Kingwood, West Virginia, in Preston County. It can be reached from East Main Street (West Virginia Route 7) east of North Price Street, on the left when traveling
this page online
Regionally, this marker is 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: Rhododendron (here, next to this marker); Red Spruce (a few steps from this marker); The Pines (within shouting distance of this marker); James C. McGrew (within shouting distance of this marker); White Ash (within shouting distance of this marker); Norway maple (within shouting distance of this marker); Japanese tigertail spruce (within shouting distance of this marker); Price's Tavern (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kingwood.
Photographed by Bradley Owen, July 6, 2022
2. Restoring the American Chestnut Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 25, 2022, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 254 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 25, 2022, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
