Near Deerwalk in Wood County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Women of Volcano

Photographed by Bradley Owen, May 29, 2026

1. Women of Volcano Marker

Inscription.
Women in the early 1900's enjoyed few rights and were seen as weak, unintelligent, and inferior to men. Women were expected to marry, clean the house, and raise children. Married women were considered their husband's property; prior to marriage they were considered their father's property.

Women had few opportunities for employment outside of the household. Only certain jobs were available to women including teaching, writing, sewing, factory work, and childcare. The women of Volcano worked very hard without modern conveniences.

(Photo Captions - Clockwise starting in the upper left)

Lottie West - Volcano Home Still Standing, Raised Four Children • Anna McCandless O'Brien - Property Adjoins Mountwood, Four Children • Mary Beabout West - Married At Twenty-Two, Eight Children • Rena Marks Caine - Widowed Two Times, Four Children • Hannah Mounts Howell - First To Settle At Volcano, Eleven Children

Erected by R.C. "Heck" Heckert.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • Women.

Location. 39° 14.597′ N, 81° 18.081′ W.

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Marker is near Deerwalk, West Virginia, in Wood County. It is on Volcano Road (County Route 5) 0.8 miles south of Northwestern Turnpike (U.S. 50), on the right when traveling east. Marker is located on the grounds of the Volcano Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1014 Volcano Road, Waverly WV 26184, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Virginia’s Mid-Ohio Valley. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Ohio River Valley,

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 Viceroyalty of New France

and also the territory of the Mississippian Culture.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Wooden Oil Storage Tank (here, next to this marker); Thornhill Mansion (here, next to this marker); Oil Pump (a few steps from this marker); Wheels Of The Endless Cable (a few steps from this marker); The Endless Cable System

Photographed by Bradley Owen, May 29, 2026

2. Women of Volcano Marker

At right: Prominent Men of Volcano
(Photo Captions - Clockwise starting in the upper left):
General S. D. Karns - The Man Who Named Volcano • James S. McCandless - Drilled Water Wells In Hawaii • Wesley Harris Sharp, M.D. - Volcano Physician • Dennis O'Brien - Major Oil Producer • George West - Operated The Last Endless Cable System • John Noon - John both drove the first spike and pulled up the last spike on the railroad.

(a few steps from this marker); Sixteen Horsepower Gas Engine (a few steps from this marker); Derrick (within shouting distance of this marker); Mountwood Park (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Deerwalk.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 12, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 11, 2026, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 11, 2026, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.