Ranson in Jefferson County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Beltline
Ranson Lost History Trail
Why is Beltline Avenue named Beltline? In order to expedite access to rail service, directors of the Charlestown Mining, Manufacturing, and improvement Company had a rail line (known as a belt line) built along what is now Beltline Avenue which would connect the B & O Rail Road and the Norfolk & Western Rail Roads. By the fall of 1891, the Belt Line, one mile in length, was in operation providing access to a growing number of factories.
The Shenandoah Brass & Iron Works (later Powhatan Brass & Iron Works), the Vulcan Road Machine Works, the Farrin Boiler Works, the Charles Town Glove Factory, and the Charles Town Brick and Tile Works depended on the Belt Line to bring them both raw materials necessary for production and then move completed products to market. The Belt Line was the heart of the manufacturing center in what soon would be the City of Ranson.
Erected by Ranson West Virginia Convention and Visitors Bureau; Jefferson County Museum.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1891.
Location. 39° 18.049′
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Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in the Eastern Panhandle. It is also 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 and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Jefferson Cooperage (approx. Ό mile away); Powhatan Brass & Iron Works (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Right Reverend Ernest Eugene Baltimore (approx. 0.4 miles away); Ranson Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Charlestown Mining, Manufacturing & Improvement Company Building (approx. 0.4 miles away); Goetz Harness and Collar Factory (approx. 0.6 miles away); The James H. Webb House (approx. 0.6 miles away); John Frederick Blessing (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ranson.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 30, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 30, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 400 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 30, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
