Wood County, West Virginia

Nestled in the midst of the Mid-Ohio Valley along the Ohio River, Wood County exists as one of West Virginia's most populous areas. A unique history drives forward the county's diverse communities, and today's residents enjoy a varied palette of opportunities offered by both metropolitan centers and smaller, more rural hamlets. Wood County, West Virginia honors an integral chapter of The Mountain State's storied past, offering readers the opportunity to meet a variety of the county's personalities, including the wealthy-and later infamous-Irish immigrant Harman Blennerhassett, the industrial magnates who arrived with the harvesting of oil and natural gas, and even some everyday individuals. More than 200 vintage photographs also invite readers to experience the county's defining moments, such as the growth of the Volcano oil field after the War between the States, along with the county's tragedies, such as the 1909 collapse of Parkersburg's water tanks on Quincy Hill, which swept a newly married couple to their deaths. Capable of enjoying the prosperous times and of overcoming the difficult ones, Wood Countians have proven themselves time and again since its founding in 1799. This volume is a fitting tribute to the strength and will of all who have called Wood County home.