Malden in Kanawha County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Booker T. Washington
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Malden
Booker T. Washington
Born Ca. 1856, Washington moved to Kanawha Salines, now Malden, as a child. He attended a black school while holding salt, coal, and other jobs. In 1872, he went to Hampton Institute, graduating in 1875. For two years he taught public & Sunday school at Malden. Head of Tuskegee Institute, 1881 to his death in 1915, he returned often to visit his family here.
Malden
Site of the Great Buffalo Licks, in 1755, captives Mary Ingles and Betty Draper were brought here by Native Americans and made salt. Elisha Brooks began first salt furnace in 1797, and Dickinson Ruffner, and Shrewsbury families ran thriving salt industry that peaked in 1850s. Town's African Zion Baptist Church was mother church for WV black Baptists.
Erected 2012 by West Virginia Archives & History.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and the West Virginia Archives and History series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1856.
Location. 38° 17.931′ N,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Charleston Area. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern 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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named Necessary Ingredient (here, next to this marker); Lewis Ruffner (here, next to this marker); Booker T. Washington (here, next to this marker); African Zion Baptist Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Rev. Ruffner's Grave (about 800 feet away); Ruffner Well (approx. Ό mile away); Burning Spring Monument
Photographed by Mark Parker, January 14, 2025
2. Malden Marker Side
Other markers no longer nearby. Malden / Booker T. Washington Homeplace (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Necessary Ingredient (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker.
Photographed by Mark Parker, January 14, 2025
4. Malden side of marker next to Booker T. Washington Park sign
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 5, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 483 times since then and 53 times this year. Last updated on January 15, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. Photos: 1. submitted on August 5, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2. submitted on January 15, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. 3. submitted on August 5, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 4. submitted on January 15, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
