Parkersburg in Wood County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
The Point
Parkersburg-Belpre Ferry Boat
Photographed by Don Morfe, April 13, 2014
1. The Point Marker
Inscription.
The Point. Parkersburg-Belpre Ferry Boat. The confluence of the Ohio and Little Kanawha Rivers is known as “the Point.” It was the site of downtown Parkersburgs earliest settlement and the stopping place for several famous people. George Washington paused here in his trip down the Ohio in 1770, as did James Monroe in 1785 and George Rogers Clark about the same time. In 1792 the State of Virginia built a blockhouse at the Point to protect the settlers from Indians. The public landing for packets, flatboats and steamboats made it the center for commerce and transportation. It was also the location of the ferryboats between Parkersburg and Belpre, Ohio. The ferry pictured here, the Nina Paden, was the last vessel of its kind to operate from the Point ceasing service in 1916.
The confluence of the Ohio and Little Kanawha Rivers is known as “the Point.” It was the site of downtown Parkersburgs earliest settlement and the stopping place for several famous people. George Washington paused here in his trip down the Ohio in 1770, as did James Monroe in 1785 and George Rogers Clark about the same time. In 1792 the State of Virginia built a blockhouse at the Point to protect the settlers from Indians. The public landing for packets, flatboats and steamboats made it the center for commerce and transportation. It was also the location of the ferryboats between Parkersburg and Belpre, Ohio. The ferry pictured here, the Nina Paden, was the last vessel of its kind to operate from the Point ceasing service in 1916.
Location. 39° 15.948′ N, 81° 33.966′ W. Marker is in Parkersburg, West Virginia, in Wood County. It is on Little Kanawa Connector. The marker is located on Blennerhassett Point Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Parkersburg WV 26101, 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
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on May 10, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 737 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on May 10, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
