On Galloway Road (West Virginia Route 76) south of Barbour Corners, on the right when traveling south.
Barbour County. Formed from Harrison, Lewis and Randolph Counties in 1843. It is named for Philip Pendleton Barbour, distinguished Virginia jurist. The scene of opening hostilities on land between the armies of the North and the South in 1961. . . . — — Map (db m74912) HM
On Middletown Road (Local Route 73/73) south of Rock Union Road, on the left when traveling south.
Marion County. Formed, 1842, from Harrison and Monongalia Counties. Named for hero of the Revolution, General Francis Marion. County was home of Francis H. Pierpont, leader in the formation of this State. The Monongahela River forms just above . . . — — Map (db m225918) HM
On Walnut Avenue (West Virginia Route 76) near Catcher Street and Simpson Road (County Route 3 & 13), on the left when traveling east.
Named for early settlers. Here Colonel Johnson C. Fleming about 1867 made demonstration of the “glider.” Near here lived Thomas Allen, the messgenger of Wellington at Waterloo. He died here at the age of 107 (4 miles south). — — Map (db m74913) HM
On Simpson Road (County Route 13) just west of Local Route 13/21, on the right when traveling east.
Opened on this site in 1865 by Free Will Baptists led by local resident Rev. F. J. Cather. Chartered by the legislature June 26, 1868. Rev. A.D. Williams became the first president and served until 1870 when he resigned to become Superintendent of . . . — — Map (db m238019) HM
On Walnut Street (County Route 119/42) west of Armstrong Avenue, on the right when traveling west.
Civil War Dead
An estimated 700,000 Union and Confederate soldiers died in the Civil War between April 1861 and April 1865. As the death toll rose, the U.S. government struggled with the urgent but unplanned need to bury fallen Union . . . — — Map (db m176478) HM
On East Main Street (U.S. 119) just east of St. John Street, on the right when traveling west.
First Mothers'-Day Service, May 10, 1908.
Founder - Miss Anna Jarvis.
Minister - Dr. H. C. Howard.
Church School Supt. - Mr. L. L. Loar. — — Map (db m176376) HM
Near Latrobe Street at Beech Street (U.S. 119), on the right when traveling east.
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad reached Grafton on January 11, 1852 and thus a railroad town was born. During the Civil War, Grafton's importance on the supply line made it a target for Confederate troops although they were never able to hold it. . . . — — Map (db m180674) HM
On East Main Street (U.S. 119) at Barrett Street (County Route 9), on the left when traveling west on East Main Street.
Chartered 1827 to connect Baltimore to the Ohio River, the railway was completed to Wheeling in 1852. Used to move Union troops and supplies during the Civil War, its strategic importance made the B&O the target of destructive Confederate . . . — — Map (db m175612) HM
On East Main Street (U.S. 119) at Luzadder Street, on the right when traveling east on East Main Street.
In 1911, the Baltimore firm of JD Walsh and Son was contracted to build a new Baltimore & Ohio Passenger Station on land donated by Colonel John T. McGraw
The station was dedicated on August 22, 1911 with a large crowd in attendance. . . . — — Map (db m176346) HM
On West Main Street (U.S. 119) 0.1 miles west of Ethel Street, on the right when traveling west.
Dominic and Columbia Bonafede lived in and ran an Italian fruit market and grocery store in this building, constructed adjacent to her family's properties in
1926. They were known for selling excellent Italian bread made in Clarksburg, West . . . — — Map (db m176940) HM
On West Main Street (U.S. 119) just east of Latrobe Street, on the right when traveling east.
The Brinkman Block is a set of three Italianate buildings built between 1876 and 1879 by George Brinkman.
The German immigrant arrived in the United States penniless and speaking no English but in 1858 he established one of the most . . . — — Map (db m178024) HM
On West Main Street (U.S. 119) just west of St. John Street, on the right when traveling east.
Joseph Cohen purchased this
section of the Luzadder plat
from Thomas J. McAvay on
July 12, 1922 for $30,000. What
was once the site of Grafton's
first financial institution, the
1870 Citizens Savings Bank, became a branch of the . . . — — Map (db m176216) HM
On West Main Street (U.S. 119) west of Latrobe Street, on the right when traveling west.
Henry Clay Colerider came to Grafton in
1875 and opened a shoe shop. He further
expanded into the leather and finding
business with partners Messrs. Duncan
and McClean in 1885 and in 1888
continued the enterprise alone after buying
their . . . — — Map (db m176669) HM
On Pike Street (U.S. 50), on the right when traveling east.
1861 - 1865
Dedicated to the memory of Thornsbury Bailey Brown, Co. B. 2nd Va. Vol. Inf. , first Union soldier killed in the Civil War. He lost his life on this spot May 22, 1861.
Erected May 16, 1928 by Betsy Ross Tent No. 10 West Virginia . . . — — Map (db m4547) HM
On East Main Street (U.S. 119) east of Luzadder Street, on the left when traveling east.
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks formed Lodge No. 308 in Grafton on June 29, 1895. This building, erected on the former site of George and Charles R. Lilley's shoe shop, was built in 1913. A fine social affair was held on March 25, . . . — — Map (db m176166) HM
On U.S. 119 at U.S. 50, on the left when traveling north on U.S. 119.
In honor of our military fallen, those who have served
and those still serving, we salute your sacrifices
and we will never forget. — — Map (db m164883) WM
On North Pike Street (U.S. 50) at Victory Avenue (U.S. 119), on the left when traveling west on North Pike Street.
Great dam built by the United States Government two miles south on the Tygarts Valley River River to control floods in the Monongahela Valley. It is 210 feet high and 1780 feet long. It forms a lake of over 4000 acres, 73 miles around. — — Map (db m75029) HM
On Washington Street east of St. John Street, on the right when traveling east.
Presbyterians first began meeting in the homes of members in Fetterman in 1855. The Presbyterian Church of Fetterman was officially organized through the Presbytery of Redstone on July 27, 1856.
In 1864 it was reorganized and renamed the First . . . — — Map (db m180938) HM
On West Main Street (U.S. 119) 0.1 miles west of Ethel Street, on the right when traveling west.
This and the two buildings to the right were built by the Forcellas, a family of Italian immigrants, in 1914. In Italy their marriages were traditionally arranged;
in the United States Columbia Forcella's union was also arranged. She married . . . — — Map (db m177195) HM
On West Main Street (U.S. 119) just west of St. John Street, on the right when traveling west.
In earlier days, this was the site of the mayor's office, city council chambers and Edward Berbig's cobbler shop. Berbig connected Grafton to another
significant moment in history, having served in the French army under Napoleon in his youth. . . . — — Map (db m176389) HM
On North Pike Street (U.S. 50) at Victory Avenue (Route 119), on the left when traveling west on North Pike Street.
William Robinson preempted Buffalo Flast, site of Grafton, in 1773. Here is the only National cemetery in the State. Former home of John T. McGraw, financier, and Melville Davisson Post, author. Anna Jarvis, founder of Mother’s Day, lived here. — — Map (db m75020) HM
On West Main Street (U.S. 119) west of St. John Street, on the right when traveling west. Reported unreadable.
Grafton was a key transportation hub in Western Virginia. The Northwestern Virginia Railroad went to Parkersburg nearly 100 miles west. At Grafton, the Northwestern Virginia Railroad joined the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O). On the B&O, the . . . — — Map (db m175609) HM
On Webster Road (U.S. 119) at Beech Street, on the right when traveling west on Webster Road.
The Civil War led to major changes in military medical facilities. In March 1862, the inadequate hospital at Grafton consisted of 5 tents and 2 small houses. Within a month, a pavilion-style military hospital, with ridge ventilation and similar to a . . . — — Map (db m176678) HM
On Walnut Street west of Armstrong Avenue, on the right when traveling west.
A State Forged from War
On April 17, 1861, just days after President Abraham Lincoln's order to seize Fort Sumter in South Carolina, a convention of Virginia officials met to back a bill that would let Virginians vote on secession from the . . . — — Map (db m176375) HM
On West Main Street (U.S. 119) at Beech Street (U.S. 119), on the left when traveling west on West Main Street.
The Grafton Post Office was established on April 1, 1854 and was initially located in the Old Powell Tavern on Latrobe Street with William Powell as the first postmaster. The property for this building was ceded to the federal government via a . . . — — Map (db m177268) HM
Near Walnut Street west of Armstrong Avenue, on the right when traveling west.
(North Face)::
Dedicated by Reno Post No. 7 G.A.R. in memory of T. Bailey Brown of Co. B. 2nd W. Va. Vol. Inft. Capt. Geo R. Latham, Comdg. The first union soldier killed in the civil war at Fetterman, W. Va., May 22, 1861 by Daniel . . . — — Map (db m175697) HM WM
On West Main Street (U.S. 119) at Latrobe Street, on the right when traveling west on West Main Street.
George Jolliffe was just 21 when he opened his first store, the American Bazaar, on the ground floor of the Blen Avon Hotel in 1895. He built this establishment on the site of George Brinkman's first bakery in 1899. After the move, the store was . . . — — Map (db m176488) HM
On Latrobe Street just east of Beech Street (U.S. 119), on the right when traveling east.
In the early days of Grafton, Latrobe Street was one of the main business thoroughfares. It first developed in the 1850s with the coming of the railroad and was, appropriately, named for Benjamin Latrobe the Baltimore & Ohio engineer who plotted . . . — — Map (db m177421) HM
On West Main Street (U.S. 119) just west of Latrobe Street, on the right when traveling west.
William R. Loar was a topographical
photographer for the United States
government working primarily in the West when he retired to Grafton in 1891 to open a photography business. In 1896, he purchased the old Henry O'Leary property and used it . . . — — Map (db m176630) HM
On West Main Street (U.S. 119) just east of Latrobe Street, on the right when traveling west.
The Merchants & Mechanics Bank was organized on May 21, 1891 and opened its doors for business on June 28, 1891. This building, which sits on the former site of early Grafton settler Eugene McClain's house and livery barn, was built in 1894. It . . . — — Map (db m177576) HM
On Victory Avenue (U.S. 119) at Rogers Road (County Route 119/15), on the left when traveling north on Victory Avenue. Reported missing.
Monongalia County. Formed, 1776, from District of West Augusta. All or parts of 21 other counties, including three in Pennsylvania, were carved from it. Named for the Monongahela River, bearing an Indian name, which means the "River of Caving . . . — — Map (db m225916) HM
On North Pike Street (U.S. 50) at West Wifford Street, on the right when traveling west on North Pike Street.
About 500 graves of early Grafton
settlers, dating 1857-1917, are in
old cemetery located on land given
by Sarah Fetterman to St Augustine
Catholic Church. Headstones include
names of Irish and German emigrants.
Buried here is Thomas McGraw, . . . — — Map (db m75019) HM
On West Washington Street just west of St. John Street, on the right when traveling west.
St. Augustine was the first church built in Grafton,
to serve the many Irish Catholics who had come
to work on the railroad. The first church building
was built in 1857 on land donated by the heirs of
Wilford Fetterman. Reverend Father James . . . — — Map (db m176856) HM
On West Main Street (U.S. 119) just west of Ethel Street, on the right when traveling east.
The seat of Taylor County was moved
from Pruntytown to Grafton in 1878
whereupon construction began on this
courthouse built on property purchased
from the heirs of early Grafton settler
Michael Boland. While construction
was in progress, . . . — — Map (db m176122) HM
On Northwestern Turnpike (U.S. 50) at Victory Avenue (U.S. 119), on the right when traveling east on Northwestern Turnpike.
In honor of the men and women of Taylor County, West Virginia who served in the World War
1917 - 1919
And in memory of those who gave their lives for the cause of democracy
Floyd Barker · Earl W. Brown · Harry E. Cooper · Celba Bryan . . . — — Map (db m164882) WM
On Paul E. Malone Road (County Route 9/7) 0.4 miles south of Parkview Road (County Route 44), on the right when traveling south.
The Mighty Giant
The American chestnut tree was once one of the most important trees in our
eastern forest. The tree's native range extended from Georgia all the way to Maine and west to the Ohio River Valley. In the Appalachian . . . — — Map (db m180734) HM
On West Main Street (U.S. 119) west of St. John Street, on the right when traveling west.
West Virginia, born of a nation divided, was the setting for the first campaign of America's Civil War. Although still part of Virginia in 1861, many citizens of the west remained loyal to the Union, rather than the Confederacy. By late May, Union . . . — — Map (db m75013) HM
Near Paul E. Malone Road (County Road 9/7) 0.4 miles south of Parkview Road (County Road 44), on the right when traveling south.
President Franklin Roosevelt implemented the New Deal programs to revitalize the nation's economy during the Great Depression. Recreation and infrastructure projects provided employment opportunities. More than 55,000 West Virginia men were . . . — — Map (db m180891) HM
On U.S. 50 at West Virginia Route 310, on the right when traveling west on U.S. 50.
Beauty spot six miles north of the boundary of Taylor and Marion counties where the Tygarts Valley River dashes through a mile-long gorge in a series of lovely falls and rapids. Included in the 1000-acre grant to Thomas Parkeson in 1773. — — Map (db m75017) HM
On Walnut Street just west of Armstrong Avenue, on the right when traveling west.
In honor of those who gave the
ultimate sacrifice in service to
the United States of America and
the families they left behind.
The sacrifice will not be forgotten. — — Map (db m175868) WM
On West Wilford Street at Upper Wilford Street, on the left when traveling south on West Wilford Street.
Veterans of Foreign
Wars
Memorial City Post 3081
(Rear):
This monument dedicated to perpetuate the memory of our departed comrades VFW Post No. 3081 — — Map (db m176619) WM
On Shelby Run Road (U.S. 250). Reported unreadable.
Webster Station was located on the Northwestern Virginia Railroad. Webster was a major supply depot and many warehouses were located here. It also served as a staging area for troops. This was the southernmost station on the railroad. During the . . . — — Map (db m211558) HM
On West Main Street (U.S. 119) at Ethel Street, on the right when traveling west on West Main Street.
Taylor County Points of Interest
International Mother's Day Shrine
On May 10, 1908, the first official Mother's Day service was held at the Andrews Methodist Church, now known as the International Mother's Day Shrine. Anna Jarvis . . . — — Map (db m176695) HM
On East Main Street (U.S. 119) at Luzadder Street, on the right when traveling east on East Main Street.
In 1911, Colonel John T. McGraw contracted JD Walsh and Son to build a modern hotel adjacent to the passenger station being built by the same company. His promise to erect the hotel, along with the donation of the land for the station, was . . . — — Map (db m177574) HM
On Valley Falls Road (County Route 18) south of U.S. 50, on the left when traveling south.
This is the site of the first Taylor County Jail. After the formation of Taylor County on January 19th, 1844, Pruntytown was named the county seat. A room in the home of Abraham Williams was leased for $1 a month and used as the first jail in . . . — — Map (db m74924) HM
On U.S. 250 at Valley Falls Road (County Route 18), on the left when traveling south on U.S. 250.
The West Virginia Industrial School for Boys was established in 1889 by an act of the Legislature and was formally opened July 21, 1891 for the purpose of training boys commited to the Institution by the courts of West Virginia. — — Map (db m74923) HM
On U.S. 50 east of U.S. 250, on the left when traveling west.
To the north stood the birthplace of John Barton Payne (1855–1935), Secretary of the Interior in the cabinet of President Woodrow Wilson. From 1921 until his death in 1935, he was chairman of the American Red Cross. — — Map (db m74933) HM
On Valley Falls Road (County Route 18) just south of U.S. 50, on the left when traveling south.
Settled by John and David Prunty about 1798. It was county seat, 1844 to 1878. Site of old Rector College. Birthplace of John Barton Payne, Secretary of Interior under Wilson, and head of the American Red Cross. — — Map (db m74929) HM
On Simpson Road (County Route 13) near the Simpson Community Park, on the right when traveling east.
Here John Simpson, hunter and trapper, stopped in 1763. He moved on to Clarksburg in 1764. Harrison and Taylor Counties keep alive his memory in the names of Simpson Creek, the town of Simpson and Simpson District. — — Map (db m74915) HM
On Webster Pike (Route 119) at Anna Jarvis Lane, on the right when traveling north on Webster Pike.
Born in 1832, in 1858 she organized Mothers' Day Work Clubs in Taylor County to improve sanitation and public health. After the Civil War began, Jarvis united women on both sides of the conflict to care for the sick and wounded. Postwar, she . . . — — Map (db m160691) HM
Anna Jarvis was born here, 5-1-1864. Through her efforts President Wilson designated in 1914 the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day. She died 11-24-1948 and was buried in West Laurel Hill Cemetery, Bala-Cynwyd, Pennsylvania. — — Map (db m74918) HM
