Weston in Lewis County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Lewis County War Memorial and Louis Bennett Public Library

Photographed by Bradley Owen, February 24, 2025

1. Lewis County War Memorial and Louis Bennett Public Library Marker

Inscription.
In memory of
Honorable Louis Bennett
deceased August 2, 1918 and only son
Lieutenant Louis Bennett, Jr.
killed in action in World War
August 24, 1918

This property, presented by
Mrs. Sallie Maxwell Bennett
was dedicated August 26, 1922

Erected 1922 by The Lewis County Court and Weston Post No. 4, American Legion.

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Notable Buildings • War, World I. A significant historical date for this entry is August 2, 1918.

Location. 39° 2.192′ N, 80° 27.918′ W. Memorial is in Weston, West Virginia, in Lewis County. It is on Court Avenue north of Bank Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 148 Court Avenue, Weston WV 26452, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in North Central West Virginia.

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

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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: Louis Bennett Library (a few steps from this marker); Henry Flesher (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Weston (about 400 feet away); Lewis County War Memorial (about 500 feet away); The Exchange Bank of Virginia and the Lewis Maxwell House (about 500 feet away); Weston's First Bank/Bennett House (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Weston In The Civil War (about 600 feet away); Brannon-Whelan House (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Weston.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Weston In The Civil War (was about 600 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Regarding Lewis County War Memorial and Louis Bennett Public Library. The Louis Bennett Public Library is located within a historic home in Weston, West Virginia. The seventeen-room Victorian mansion was built in 1875 by Jonathan M. Bennett, one of the most prominent politicians and businessmen in Lewis County. His son Louis was

Photographed by Bradley Owen, February 24, 2025

2. Lewis County War Memorial and Louis Bennett Public Library Marker

Marker is located at the right of the double doors.

also a noted civic leader, serving as Speaker of the House of Delegates and unsuccessfully running for Governor in 1908. Louis' son Louis Jr. became famous as West Virginia's only ace pilot in World War I. He flew over twenty missions and made twelve confirmed kills before dying in 1918. His mother, Sallie Maxwell Bennett, decided to honor her husband and son by donating their house to the Lewis County Commission to operate as a war memorial and library in 1922. Today the home continues to house a library while the property includes a war memorial. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

Lewis Bennett Public Library image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, February 24, 2025

3. Lewis Bennett Public Library

Credits. This page was last revised on February 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 25, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 161 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 25, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.