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

Early Parkersburg

Court Square

Photographed By Don Morfe, April 13, 2014

1. Early Parkersburg Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

In 1773, Robert Thornton claimed 1400 acres encompassing today's downtown Parkersburg, but sold it ten years later to Captain Alexander Parker, for whom the town was later named. The first permanent settler was Captain James Neal who erected a blockhouse in 1785. By 1800, the village had grown to a number of log cabins, a store and a tavern and was called Newport. In 1810, the town was laid out and from then on was known by its present name. Parkersburg has experienced several boom periods starting first with oil in the early 1860s. Later prosperity came from a thriving timber industry and from being a military center during the Civil War. The scene at the left was Court Square, just a few blocks from here, in the early 1900s.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1773.

Location. 39° 15.948′ N, 81° 33.966′ W. Marker is in Parkersburg, West Virginia, in Wood County. Marker is on Little Kanawa Connector. The marker is located in Blennerhassett Point Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Parkersburg WV 26101, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance

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of this marker. Railroads (here, next to this marker); Blennerhassett Island (here, next to this marker); The Point (here, next to this marker); George Rogers Clark (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Blennerhassett Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Women of Courage (within shouting distance of this marker); Escape to Freedom / Women of Courage (within shouting distance of this marker); Vital Transportation Center (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Parkersburg.

Photographed By Don Morfe, April 13, 2014

2. Early Parkersburg Marker

Photographed By Don Morfe, April 13, 2014

3. Early Parkersburg Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on May 9, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 402 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 9, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.