St. Marys in Pleasants County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
St. Marys
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, January 11, 2015
1. St. Marys Marker
Established as a town, 1851, by Alexander H. Creel on land originally granted to Henry Thomas, Revolutionary soldier, in 1785. Creel built the "Cain House", which became one of the most famous of the Ohio River taverns.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1851.
Location. 39° 23.356′ N, 81° 12.339′ W. Marker is in St. Marys, West Virginia, in Pleasants County. It is at the intersection of 3rd Street / South Pleasants Highway (West Virginia Route 2) and George Street, on the right when traveling north on 3rd Street / South Pleasants Highway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 216 S Pleasants Hwy, Saint Marys WV 26170, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Northern Panhandle. 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 territory of the Mississippian Culture.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Vietnam War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Raid on St. Marys (within shouting distance of this marker); Pleasants County Veterans Memorial (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Veterans Memorial Park (about 700 feet away); The St. Mary's Oracle (about 700 feet away); Alexander H. Creel (about 800 feet away); Hi Carpenter Bridge (approx. 0.2 miles away); George Washington (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Marys.
Also see . . .
this page online
1. Welcome to the City of St. Marys, West Virginia. (Submitted on January 11, 2015, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)
2. Cain House (Alexander Creel Tavern). The article describes the beginnings of the town of St Marys, as well as the building of Creel's Tavern.
It is said that Mr. Creel, who was engaged in business along the Ohio, was traveling by steamer to Wheeling. In his sleep one night a vision of the Virgin Mary appeared to him and directed him to look upon the Virginia side of the river.(Submitted on February 1, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina.)
"There," said she, "you will behold the site of what some day will be a happy and prosperous city."
Awaking, he opened the outer door of his state-room. Illuminated by a brilliant moon he saw clearly the lower end of Middle Island and beyond it a spacious cove surrounded by a rampart of densely wooded hills. Marking the place well in his mind, he proceeded on his journey.
The memory of his vision never left him. He returned and bought the land. For some reason unknown, he was temporarily diverted from the purpose of founding a city there, for he sold the tract to Hugh L. Pickens, and located a mile below at the mouth of Greens Run; but in 1849 he came back, repurchased that portion of the land on which St. Marys was first marked out, and devoted his energies to the fulfillment of his dream, naming the place in honor of theMother of Our Lord.Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, January 11, 20152. St. Marys Marker
The legend is faulty in the fact that the land was not originally bought by Alexander H. Creel, but by his father.
Additional keywords. St. Mary's
Photographed by Mark Parker, January 30, 2025
3. Cain House, as referenced in the marker, built for Alexander Creel in 1850
Located in St Marys, WV at the corner of Creel Street and Riverside Drive. It became the Masonic Lodge in 1957, however it currently stands abandoned. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. No marker is visible.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 11, 2015, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 879 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 11, 2015, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 3. submitted on February 1, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina.
