Nitro in Kanawha County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Military Survey / Nitro
Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 15, 2023
1. Military Survey Side of Marker
Military Survey. December 1, 1773, George Washington patented 21,941 acres known as the "Pocatalico Survey." Included were the present sites of Nitro, Sattes, Poca and Cross Lanes. The tract was divided among eight former officers who served in the French and Indian War (1754-1763): Adam Stephen, John Savage, Andrew Lewis, John Wilper, Thomas Bullitt, Peter Hogg, William Wright and John Fry.
Nitro. Founded Nov. 1, 1917 as site of U. S. Govt. “Explosive Plant C.” Thompson Sterratt Co. finished job in eleven months with work force of 110,000. Project included a town to support a population of 24,000 and cost $60 million. Plant operated by Hercules Powder Co. made 350 tons of cannon powder daily. Bought by Charleston Industrial Corp. Nov. 1919 and resold to Monsanto, FMC and Fike cos.
Erected 1982 by West Virginia Department of Culture and History.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • War, World I. A significant historical date for this entry is December 1, 1773.
Location. 38° 25.279′ N, 81° 50.458′ W. Marker is in Nitro, West Virginia, in Kanawha County. Marker is at the intersection of 20th Street and 2nd Avenue, on the right when traveling west on 20th
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Nitro War Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Co. B 142nd Infantry 36th Division (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Co. B 142nd Infantry 36th Division (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Co. B 142nd Infantry 36th Division (within shouting distance of this marker); Nitro: WWI “Boom Town” (within shouting distance of this marker); Larry Barnett (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lou Burdette (about 300 feet away); Kathy Mattea (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nitro.
Also see . . . History of Nitro — A living memorial to World War I. Excerpts:
US Congress went into an emergency session and passed the “Deficiency Appropriations Act” on October 6, 1917.(Submitted on October 12, 2023.)
The Appropriations Act provided for the construction of three huge explosive plants, each capable of producing 500,000 pounds of gunpowder per day. The War Department immediately sent engineers into a 10-state area to find the best-suited locations for the proposed plants. Such criteria as security from coastal attacks, climatic conditions, rail and water transportation, available raw materials, and the lay of theland, determined the site selections. The number-one location picked to build the first plant was a wide section of bottomland along the great Kanawha River, 14 miles below Charleston, West Virginia. Three months later when Nitro came off the War Department’s drawing boards, a wartime construction project was launched that challenged the entire nation.Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 8, 20232. Nitro Side of Marker
The name Nitro was selected by the Ordnance Department. It was derived from the chemical term Nitro-Cellulose, which identified the type of gunpowder that was to be produced. Another name seriously considered at the time was “Redwop” which was obtained from the reverse spelling of the word powder.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 8, 2023
3. Military Survey / Nitro Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on October 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 12, 2023, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 86 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 16, 2023, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 2, 3. submitted on October 12, 2023, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
