Let’s Celebrate
- by Connie Dale -
as published in 'Graffiti - West Virginia's news alternative
How many times have you heard your parents or grandparents still talking
about the centennial or Aunt Minnie’s pie winning first place at the
county fair? These celebrations don’t even have to be good to carry on a
few gossipy tales for years
West Union will be celebrating 125 years of incorporation on July 22
with a day of fun and history-making events. With walking tours and all
the demonstrations set to take place, I’m sure the locals will be
talking about this one for years.
This is a small community of about 800, but the town is spread from hill
to hill with the longest creek in the state, Middle Island, flowing in
between the hills. These hills and deep valley give a sense the town is
bigger. The community has done well is connecting the two sides with
nice bridges and a pedestrian walkway.
The town was first known as Lewisport or Union until the B & O railroad
came through and established a station in 1857. It was suggested the
town be moved across the creek and named West Union.
This summer’s celebration will go back to those early years and take a
look at the town 125 years ago to the present. Fran Stewart, a clerk at
city hall, is spearheading the events and will have a historical walking
tour through town. The entire town still looks as if it were still in
the early 1900s with a courthouse that is truly picturesque of early
Americana. I think they should use this town for shooting some movies
about early America, especially during the oil and gas boom.
The oil and gas industry, along with timber, is still the leading job
producer in the town. Of course, education is important to these
residents and they have a new incorporated elementary school on U.S. 50
near a middle school that was built about 10 years ago. This year will
be the last graduating class at the old high school built in 1941. A new
school is in its early stages of construction on U.S. 50 as well and
superintendent Janice Michels hopes to have classes in the new school in
late 2007 or early 2008.
This old high school was not easy for the community to give up, but I
hope everyone is healing and joining together for the sake of the
students. Michels reports that things have been working well and most of
the students seem happy to be looking forward to a new school.
It is tough for a town when a school moves because it generates activity
in the community, but we have to think of the students and their future.
Change is difficult for us all.
The houses and buildings around the courthouse and town are full of
history. The Stuart Mansion has been preserved by a local attorney and
thank goodness. Built in 1910, this is one of the most beautiful homes
I’ve ever been able to tour in a rural setting. This house is worth the
trip to the town and the law firms of Alexander and Molessa have been
known to give a tour. The house was placed on the national historical
registry in 1994 and features crystal chandeliers and Italian marble
fireplaces.
Also of interest in town is the library, which was once the Opera House,
the wall of honor for the county’s veterans and a stop off at J & J’s
Flower Shop which was once a stagecoach stop. The main street of West
Union was a part of the national turnpike in which everyone had to pass
through going east to west.
I could not get to the museum this trip, but I have taken a tour in the
past and this is a must stop for anyone who would like to see the cells
of a jail from a century before. This is an interesting stop and worthy
of tracking down someone for a tour.
The town is very unique in that the old railroad line is now a part of
the North Bend Rail Trail State Park and lucky to have it pass through
downtown. This section of the trail gives the community a great walking
spot. Efforts need to be continued to make this a paved section of the
trail with lights to give the town a better surface to get out and
exercise upon.
West Union still has a few downtown businesses, but the proximity to
Clarksburg has been taking business away from the community. I can only
hope the citizens recognize that if they don’t support what is left, it
too will disappear. The McCormick Hardware is one of the cleanest
hardware stores I’ve seen and Paula and Ed Cumpston work hard to see
that all the community’s needs are met. They sell everything from
hardware and feed to fabric.
The same is true for Michels Pharmacy which is clean and the employees
are very helpful and pleasant. It is hard to find a store these days you
can walk in and ask for help. When was the last time you found a helpful
clerk in one of the big conglomerates? Heck, it’s hard to even find an
employee in some of these stores.
You can’t help but walk through this community and know that it takes
care of its residents. The fire hall and emergency services buildings
are nice and the senior center is booming. There is a new IGA grocery
and Family Dollar store which has helped the area aesthetically.
Just like most county seats, there is good food on the table at the
local diners. There are three restaurants that all seem very busy: T &
J’s Corner, Alice’s Diner and the Hillbilly Auction.
I did notice the streets of the town are in need of repair and I know
that Etta Stadler, the mayor and council have been working to find some
grant money for the streets. Keep up the work in this community and it
could be a historical showcase with a future. If not, it will be lost to
those who would rather drive on by than stop.
...Peace
for more of this paper
- Please see:
Graffiti
<<< Back to
NEWS |
