Harrison County, West Virginia
Harrison County, West Virginia | ||
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Harrison County Courthouse | ||
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Location within the U.S. state of West Virginia | ||
West Virginia's location within the U.S. | ||
Founded | 3 May 1784 | |
Named for | Benjamin Harrison V | |
Seat | Clarksburg | |
Largest city | Clarksburg | |
Area | ||
• Total | 417 sq mi (1,080 km2) | |
• Land | 416 sq mi (1,077 km2) | |
• Water | 0.5 sq mi (1 km2), 0.1% | |
Population (est.) | ||
• (2017) | 67,811 | |
• Density | 163/sq mi (63/km2) | |
Congressional district | 1st | |
Time zone | Eastern: UTC−5/−4 | |
Website | www.harrisoncountywv.com |
Harrison County is a county in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 69,099.[1] The county seat is Clarksburg.[2]
Harrison County is part of the Clarksburg, WV Micropolitan Statistical Area.
Contents
1 History
1.1 18th century
1.2 19th century
2 Geography
2.1 Major highways
2.2 Airports
2.3 Adjacent counties
2.4 Protected areas
2.5 Lakes[13]
3 Demographics
3.1 2000 census
3.2 2010 census
4 Communities
4.1 Cities
4.2 Towns
4.3 Census-designated places
4.4 Charles Pointe Master-Planned Community
5 Politics
6 Historical landmarks
7 Notable people
8 See also
9 References
10 External links
History
Indigenous peoples lived in the area that would become Harrison County for thousands of years. The Oak Mounds outside Clarksburg were built by the Hopewell culture mound builders during the first millenium CE.
18th century
White trappers visited the area that is now Harrison County as early as the 1760s. Some traded with the Native Americans of the area. The Virginia Colony claimed the area as part of its vast Augusta County. The first permanent settler in the area was hunter and trapper John Simpson, who erected a cabin at the mouth of Elk Creek on the West Fork River in 1763 or '64.[3][4] Simpson's name remains on "Simpson's Creek" (its mouth is about 9 miles downstream from present Clarksburg).[5] Settler Daniel Davisson (1748-1819), from New Jersey,[6] claimed the land upon which present-day Clarksburg, Harrison County, was formed in 1773;[7] the area was re-designated as part of Monongalia County, Virginia three years later. Simpson's story did not end well. According to a 19th-century local historian, he ...
... continued to hunt and trap for a year without encountering any other human being. In 1765, he went to the South Branch to dispose of a stock of skins and furs, and returning to his camp, remained until permanent settlements were made in the vicinity. ... Simpson's cabin was located about one mile from Clarksburg, on the west side of the West Fork River ... Simpson became indebted to a man named Cottrial[8] to the amount of "one quart of salt" (a precious article at the time), which he agreed to pay, either in money or salt, upon his return from Winchester, whither he was going to dispose of a stock of skins and furs. Upon his return, a dispute arose between them, regarding the payment, and Cottrial, in the heat of passion, hastened from the house, and grasping Daniel Davisson's gun, which stood leaning against the cabin, took aim through the space between the logs, and attempted to shoot Simpson. The latter, however, was too quick for him, and springing outside, grasped the gun from Cottrial's hands and killed him. This was the first tragedy of this nature in the vicinity.[9]
Harrison County was organized in 1784, with territory partitioned from Monongalia County. It was named for Benjamin Harrison V,[10] who had recently retired as the Governor of Virginia. (He was the father of William Henry Harrison, 9th President of the United States and great-grandfather of Benjamin Harrison, 23rd president.) Over the next 72 years, all of eight present-day West Virginia counties and parts of ten others were formed from this original Harrison County.[11]
The first meeting of the Harrison County court was held on July 20, 1784 at the home of George Jackson. The group designated the county seat as Clarksburg. The town, named for explorer General George Rogers Clark (1752–1818), was chartered by the Virginia General Assembly in October 1785, and it was incorporated in 1795.[12]
19th century
Clarksburg's first newspaper, The By-Stander, began publication in 1810. Construction of the Northwestern Turnpike connecting Winchester and Parkersburg, reached the town in 1836, stimulating development by connecting it to other markets. Clarksburg's economic development was also helped by the arrival of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in 1856. The railroad was instrumental in the development of the local coal mining industry during the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Geography
The county terrain consists of low rolling mountains, largely wooded, etched by drainages and creeks.[13] The terrain slopes to the West Fork River valley from both east and west borders, and also generally slopes to the north. Its highest point is on its south corner, at 1,736' (529m) ASL.[14] The county has a total area of 417 square miles (1,080 km2), of which 416 square miles (1,080 km2) is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km2) (0.1%) is water.[15] The county is drained by the north-flowing West Fork River and its tributaries, including Tenmile Creek, Simpson Creek, and Elk Creek.[16]
Major highways
Interstate 79
U.S. Route 19
U.S. Route 50
West Virginia Route 20
West Virginia Route 23
West Virginia Route 57
West Virginia Route 58
West Virginia Route 76
West Virginia Route 98
West Virginia Route 131
West Virginia Route 270
West Virginia Route 279
Airports
North Central West Virginia Airport - NE of Bridgeport
Wade F. Maley Field - NE of Shinnston[13]
Adjacent counties
Marion County - north
Taylor County - east
Barbour County - southeast
Upshur County - south
Lewis County - southwest
Doddridge County - west
Wetzel County - northwest
Protected areas
- Watters Smith State Park
Lakes[13]
- Deegan Lake
- Lake Floyd
- Maple Lake
- Mine 95 Water Supply Reservoir
- Oral Lake
- Salem Auxillary Lake
Demographics
Historical population | |||
---|---|---|---|
Census | Pop. | %± | |
1790 | 2,080 | — | |
1800 | 4,848 | 133.1% | |
1810 | 9,958 | 105.4% | |
1820 | 10,932 | 9.8% | |
1830 | 14,722 | 34.7% | |
1840 | 17,669 | 20.0% | |
1850 | 11,728 | −33.6% | |
1860 | 13,790 | 17.6% | |
1870 | 16,714 | 21.2% | |
1880 | 20,181 | 20.7% | |
1890 | 21,919 | 8.6% | |
1900 | 27,690 | 26.3% | |
1910 | 48,381 | 74.7% | |
1920 | 74,793 | 54.6% | |
1930 | 78,567 | 5.0% | |
1940 | 82,911 | 5.5% | |
1950 | 85,296 | 2.9% | |
1960 | 77,856 | −8.7% | |
1970 | 73,028 | −6.2% | |
1980 | 77,710 | 6.4% | |
1990 | 69,371 | −10.7% | |
2000 | 68,652 | −1.0% | |
2010 | 69,099 | 0.7% | |
Est. 2017 | 67,811 | [17] | −1.9% |
US Decennial Census[18] 1790–1960[19] 1900–1990[20] 1990–2000[21] 2010–2015[1] |
2000 census
As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 68,652 people, 27,867 households, and 19,088 families in the county. The population density was 165/sqmi (63.7/km²). There were 31,112 housing units at an average density of 74.8/sqmi (28.9/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.55% White, 1.61% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.59% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.21% from other races, and 0.86% from two or more races. 0.96% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 27,867 households out of which 29.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.30% were living together, 11.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.50% were non-families. 27.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.94.
The county population contained 23.10% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 24.50% from 45 to 64, and 16.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $30,562, and the median income for a family was $36,870. Males had a median income of $30,721 versus $22,110 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,810. About 13.60% of families and 17.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.10% of those under age 18 and 9.40% of those age 65 or over.
2010 census
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 69,099 people, 28,533 households, and 18,992 families in the county.[22] The population density was 166/sqmi (64.1/km²). There were 31,431 housing units at an average density of 75.6/sqmi (29.2/km²).[23] The racial makeup of the county was 96.0% white, 1.6% black or African American, 0.5% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.3% of the population.[22] In terms of ancestry, 19.8% were German, 19.0% were American, 18.3% were Irish, 13.2% were English, and 10.4% were Italian.[24]
Of the 28,533 households, 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.7% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.4% were non-families, and 28.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.92. The median age was 41.8 years.[22]
The median income for a household in the county was $39,191 and the median income for a family was $46,882. Males had a median income of $42,615 versus $28,867 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,010. About 15.0% of families and 18.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.0% of those under age 18 and 9.1% of those age 65 or over.[25]
Communities
Cities
- Bridgeport
Clarksburg (county seat)- Salem
- Shinnston
- Stonewood
Towns
- Anmoore
- Lost Creek
- Lumberport
- Nutter Fort
- West Milford
Census-designated places
- Despard
- Enterprise
- Gypsy
- Hepzibah
- Wallace
- Wolf Summit
Charles Pointe Master-Planned Community
Harrison County is the site of a master-planned community, Charles Pointe, which is currently under construction in the city of Bridgeport, WV and comprises 1,700 acres (6.9 km2) that will combine commercial, residential, and recreational areas into one master-planned community.[26] Adjacent to Charles Pointe, the United Hospital Center, a $278 million state-of-the-art medical facility, is being constructed.[27] Across from the United Hospital Center site, White Oaks, a planned business community is also under construction, and will support the hospital and the FBI CJIS complex, which is also located near the White Oaks site.[28][29] This area of West Virginia's Interstate 79 is considered part of a "High Tech Corridor."[30]
Politics
During the 20th century Harrison County voters tended Democratic. However, since 2000 the county selected the Republican Party candidate in every national election (as of 2016).
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third parties |
---|---|---|---|
2016 | 66.1% 18,750 | 27.1% 7,694 | 6.7% 1,907 |
2012 | 60.4% 15,876 | 37.0% 9,732 | 2.5% 663 |
2008 | 55.6% 17,824 | 42.3% 13,582 | 2.1% 672 |
2004 | 55.9% 17,111 | 43.3% 13,238 | 0.8% 239 |
2000 | 48.7% 12,948 | 49.0% 13,009 | 2.3% 621 |
1996 | 33.0% 8,857 | 54.9% 14,746 | 12.1% 3,240 |
1992 | 31.9% 9,687 | 51.0% 15,480 | 17.1% 5,174 |
1988 | 43.9% 13,364 | 55.9% 17,005 | 0.2% 49 |
1984 | 56.3% 19,400 | 43.5% 14,969 | 0.2% 68 |
1980 | 41.2% 14,251 | 54.4% 18,813 | 4.5% 1,538 |
1976 | 41.4% 15,172 | 58.6% 21,467 | |
1972 | 63.2% 22,196 | 36.8% 12,910 | |
1968 | 39.4% 13,703 | 54.2% 18,872 | 6.4% 2,234 |
1964 | 28.0% 9,986 | 72.0% 25,683 | |
1960 | 47.0% 18,378 | 53.0% 20,727 | |
1956 | 55.5% 21,860 | 44.5% 17,541 | |
1952 | 50.8% 21,193 | 49.2% 20,527 | |
1948 | 40.7% 14,534 | 59.0% 21,109 | 0.3% 114 |
1944 | 44.4% 14,408 | 55.6% 18,028 | |
1940 | 43.1% 17,087 | 56.9% 22,570 | |
1936 | 36.7% 14,180 | 63.0% 24,361 | 0.4% 137 |
1932 | 43.9% 14,641 | 54.2% 18,081 | 1.9% 632 |
1928 | 57.7% 17,502 | 41.2% 12,483 | 1.1% 346 |
1924 | 49.4% 15,165 | 43.9% 13,470 | 6.8% 2,075 |
1920 | 55.7% 13,784 | 41.2% 10,206 | 3.1% 769 |
1916 | 48.9% 6,262 | 46.6% 5,970 | 4.6% 584 |
1912 | 16.5% 1,754 | 41.1% 4,378 | 42.4% 4,520[32] |
Historical landmarks
- Fletcher Covered Bridge
- Kelly Miller High School
- Oak Mounds
- Simpson Creek Covered Bridge
- The Waldomore
Notable people
John W. Davis, Democratic Party candidate for President in 1924
Guy Goff, Republican Party United States Senator
See also
- Center Branch Wildlife Management Area
- Central West Virginia Transportation Authority
- North Bend Rail Trail
- Watters Smith Memorial State Park
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Harrison County, West Virginia
References
^ ab "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 11, 2011. Retrieved January 10, 2014..mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit}.mw-parser-output .citation q{quotes:"""""""'""'"}.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Lock-green.svg/9px-Lock-green.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-gray-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-red-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration{color:#555}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription span,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration span{border-bottom:1px dotted;cursor:help}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg/12px-Wikisource-logo.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output code.cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:inherit;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#33aa33;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration,.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-right{padding-right:0.2em}
^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
^ Withers, Alexander Scott (1831), Chronicles of Border Warfare, or, A History of the Settlement by the Whites, of north-western Virginia: and of the Indian wars and massacres, in that section of the state; with reflections, anecdotes, &c., Clarksburg, Va.: J. Israel, p. 90.
^ Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia; "Special Virginia Edition" (1883-84; originally in 13 vols); reprinted in 1974 in Comstock, Jim (editor), West Virginia Heritage Encyclopedia; 51 vol. [Exclusive run of 3,000 sets; never reprinted] (1974-1976). Supplemental series, Vol 6., Chapter I ("Harrison County"), pp. 10-11.
^ Kenny, Hamill (1945). West Virginia Place Names: Their Origin and Meaning, Including the Nomenclature of the Streams and Mountains. Piedmont WV: The Place Name Press. p. 579.
^ Zimmerman, Diane (2017), The Davissons: A Founding Family of Harrison County, WV; (Part III: Six Generations); Harrison County Genealogical Society
^ "... Daniel Davisson (1748-1819), was the proprietor of the city of Clarksburg, West Virginia ...": Hess, Alice Jo (1978), History of Medicine in Harrison County, West Virginia; Harrison County Medical Society, p. 550.
^ This incident occurred sometime around 1779-1781. The Mr. Cottrial, or Cotrill, in question was one of two brothers who both died around that time: Andrew Cotrill, Jr (1736-c. 1781) and Samuel Cotrill (1740-1779). See: Haymond, Henry (1910), History of Harrison County, West Virginia: From the Early Days of Northwestern Virginia to the Present; Morgantown WV: Acme Publishing Co., p. 384.
^ Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia (1883-84), Op. cit., pp. 10-11.
^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on April 8, 2013. Retrieved January 29, 2013.CS1 maint: Archived copy as title (link)
^ Some of these counties left Harrison County by way of intermediate county names. Former Harrison County now includes: (1) all of present day Barbour (1843; via Randolph and Lewis also), Gilmer (1845), Harrison, Lewis (1816), Randolph (1787), Ritchie (1843; parts via Lewis and Wood also), Upshur (1851; via Lewis), and Wood (1798) Counties; and (2) parts of Braxton (1836; via Lewis), Calhoun (1856; via Gilmer), Doddridge (1845; via Lewis and Ritchie also), Marion (1842), Pleasants (1851; via Wood), Pocahontas (1821; via Randolph), Tucker (1856; via Randolph), Taylor (1844; via Marion and Barbour also), Webster (1860; via Braxton and Randolph), and Wirt (1848; via Wood) Counties. ("History of County Formations in Virginia, 1617-1995")
^ Haymond, Henry (1910), History of Harrison County, West Virginia: From the Early Days of Northwestern Virginia to the Present; Morgantown, West Virginia: Acme Publishing Company; 245 [[wikt:ff.|]]
^ abc Harrison County WV Google Maps (accessed 15 April 2019)
^ "Find an Altitude/Harrison County WV" Google Maps (accessed 15 April 2019)
^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
^ DeLorme (1997). West Virginia Atlas & Gazetteer. Yarmouth, Maine: DeLorme. pp. 24-25, 35-36.
ISBN 0-89933-246-3.
^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved 15 April 2019.
^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
^ abc "rofile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". US Census Bureau. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
^ "Selected Social Characteristics in the US – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
^ "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
^ "Welcome to Charles Pointe". Retrieved 25 June 2016.
^ "United Hospital Center | WVU Medicine". www.uhcwv.org. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
^ "Echoretailproperties.com; Work.Shop.Live". Archived from the original on 19 February 2012. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
^ "Overview". Archived from the original on 16 September 2008. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
^ Wikipedia.org: I-79
^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
^ The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 3,443 votes, while Socialist candidate Eugene Debs received 1,077 votes.
External links
- Harrison County Chamber of Commerce
- Harrison County Commission
- Harrison County Development Authority
- Harrison County Genealogical Society
- Harrison County Schools
- WVGenWeb Harrison County
Coordinates: 39°17′N 80°23′W / 39.29°N 80.38°W / 39.29; -80.38