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Preston County

County Facts

Date of Formation: 1818
Named: In honor of James Patton Preston, Governor of VA, 1816-1819
County Seat: Kingwood

Sources

Books

Barnes, Ralph Mosser. Early Days in Clifton Mills. Parsons, West Virginia: McClain Printing Company, 1985.
975.482 B261.

Butcher, Bernard Lee. Genealogical and Personal History of the Upper Monongahela Valley, West Virginia. New York, New York, Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1912.
975.45 B983.

Cox, Connie Loraine. Our Place In History: Southwestern Preston County, West Virginia. Terra Alta, Headline Books, Inc., 2005.
975.482 C877

Farm Women's Club. Aurora Community. Aurora, West Virginia, Aurora Community of Preston Couunty, West Virginia, 1950.
975.482 A931. Reprint 975.482 A 931 1973 Pam.

Little, Richard S. Arthurdale Its History, Its Lessons for Today. Morgantown, West Virginia, West Virginia University Foundation, 1976.
975.482 L778 Pam.

Morten, Oren, Frederic. A History of Preston County, West Virginia. Kingwood, West Virginia, The Journal Publishing Company, 1914.
975.482 M891.

Powell, Harold F. Index to History of Preston County, West Virginia by S. T. Wiley, 1882. Parsons, West Virginia, McClain Printing Company, 1971.
975.482 W676i.

Preston County Historical Society. Record of Prestonians, World War II. Kingwood, West Virginia, Preston County Historical Society, 1963.
940.546775 P937.

Preston County Historical Society. Preston County, West Virginia History, 1979. Dallas, Texas, Taylor Printing Company, 1979.
975.482 P937.

Rowlesburg Area Historical Society. Early Times in the Rowlesburg Area: A Pictorial History. Rowlesburg, Terra Alta, West Virginia, Headline Books, 1991.
975.482 S884.

Sisler, Janice Cale. Pioneers of Preston: The Histories of Pioneer Family Groups of Preston County. Terra Alta, West Virginia: Preston County Historical Society, 2001.
975.482 P937p.

White, Betty Whittaker. The Past is a Key to the Future: A History of Terra Alta, West Virginia, and Its Vicinity. Parsons, West Virginia, McClain Printing Company, 1990.
975.482 W582.

Wiley, Samuel T. History of Preston County, West Virginia. Kingwood, West Virginia, The Journal Printing House, 1882.
975.482 W676.

Zinn, Patricia Ann. History of the Preston County Journal. Morgantown, West Virginia, Thesis, West Virginia University, 1970.
071.5482 Z78. and Arc 1. 4:32.

Newspaper Clippings

"75-Year Old Slave Contract in West Virginia Possession," Charleston Daily News, 9-3- 1922.
"A Piece of History Disappears Contractors Raze Terra Alta Depot," Dominion Post, 4- 16-1999.
"A Landmark Decision, Kingwood," Dominion Post, 3-16-1998.
"A Look Today a 3 Communities Planned Under New Deal," Parkersburg Sentinel, 8-5- 1994.
"Alpine Lake Cited by State," Mineral News Tribune, 11-16-1972.
"Amblersburg: Mostly Memories," Dominion Post, 12-9-1979.
"Ancient Bridge Still Stands Beside Modern One Over Cheat," Clarksburg Exponent, 12-11-1938.
"Aquaculture, Fish Market Coming to WV," Dominion Post, 8-30-1998.
"Arthrdale Buildings Get Lift," Dominion Post, 2-3-1995.
"Arthurdale Celebrates Restoration of Yesterday," Dominion Post, 4-29-1995.
"Arthurdale Descendants Celebrate Homesteaders' 60th Anniversary," Inter-Mountain, 7- 11-1994.
"Arthurdale: Homesteading in West Virginia by Deanna Hornyak," Now & Then, Summer 1996.
"Arthurdale Museum: Gassed Up and Ready to GO," Dominion Post, 8-4-1995.
"Arthurdale Inn Closes...Franklin, Eleanor Roosevelt Patrons," Preston Co. Journal, 1-7- 1975.
"Arthurdale Celebrates Its New Deal Heritage," Clarksburg Telegram, 7-11-1994.
"Arthurdale: New Deal For Settlers," Dominion Post, 7-10-1994.
"Arthurdale: A Successful Social Experiment," Dominion Post, 7-21-1994.
"Arthurdale, 51 Years Ago Life Came to WV," WV Hillbilly, 11-3-1988.
"Arthurdale Starts Historic Register Celebration Saturday," Inter-Mountain, 6-28- 1989.
"Arthurdale" From Fairfax Manor to Experimental Community," Preston Co. Journal, 12-4-1975.
"At the Inn, Preston County Inn Landmark Refurbished," Dominion Post, 5-5-1991.
"Author's Love for Land High Shines Through," Dominion Post, 12-29-1999.
"B & O County's Settlers Named Preston's Towns," Kingwood Journal, 8-30-1968.
"Bible Passed to Rowelsburg Woman," Dominion Post, 7-22-1996.
"Bridging a Gap, Camp Dawson, Dominion Post, 7-7-1997.
"Buckwheat Time Here Tomorrow," Dominion News, 9-25-1963.
"Cheat River, Town of Rowelsburg Nearly Swept Away," Dominion News, 7-12- 1963.
"Cheat River Aides in Growth of Town," Preston County Journal, 10-27-1975.
"Chicken Mine," Pittsburgh Press, 3-5-1961.
"Co. History Shows From Log Cabin Modern to Conveniences," Preston Co. Journal, 1- 18-1968.
"County Will Celebrate 150th Birthday Jan. 18," Kingwood Journal, 1-11-1968.
"Cranberry Summit Once Name of Terra Alta," Preston County News, 9-26-1963.
"Dedication Ceremonies Preston County's New Court House, August 25, 1934." n. p. n. d.
"Demonstrations in 1776 Considered Revolting," Preston County Journal, 3-12- 1979.
"Depot Restoration Plans Right on Track," Dominion Post, 7-21-1994.
"Dictator Orders Report of the Free State," Preston County News, 3-27-1970.
"Buckwheat Time Here Tomorrow," Morgantown Post, 9-25-1963.
"Eleanor Roosevelt's Project at Arthurdale Topic for TV," Inter-Mountain, 6-20- 1988.
"Eleanor Roosevelt Would be Proud," Dominion Post, 7-9-1995.
"Existing Conditions at Hopemont Sanitarium," Pleasants County Register, 7-23- 1937.
"Extra Research Brings Reedsville History," Dominion Post, 2-26-1984.
"First Preston School Began About 1790," Dominion News, 9-25-1963.
"First Bus of Second Bus Line in State in Kingwood," Preston County Journal, 10-13- 1966.
"Fort Morris Was Virginia Defense Post," Dominion News, 9-25-1963.
"Free State of Preston Origin Discovered Here," Preston County Journal, 7-17- 1969.
"Group Railroad Off Track, Northern's Restoration Opposed," Dominion Post, 8-14- 1994.
"Hail, Arthurdale!," Dominion Post, 7-10-1994.
"Hazelton, The Next Big Thing," Dominion Post, 4-9-1989.
"Henry Clay Furnace to the Fore," Dominion Post, 2-19-1967.
"Historian Praises Arthurdale Group," Dominion Post, 2-21-1996.
"Historic Sites, Scenery Plentiful in Preston," Dominion Post, 4-1-1984.
"Historic Sites, Scenery Plentiful in Preston," Dominion Post, 4-1-1984.
"Historic House Gets Boost of $200,000, McGrew House," Weirton Daily Times, 9-11- 1995.
"Historic Aurora Landmark Being Rebuilt," Preston County News, 11-2-1991.
"Historic Setting Becomes Realty Office," Dominion Post, 5-25-1966.
"Historical Society Saves Tunnelton Depot," Dominion Post, 10-6-1994.
"History Noted of How Preston County Developed," Grafton Sentinel, 1-19-1968.
"History of Rowlesburg to be Published," Dominion Post, 5-4-1986.
"House the Army Built Stirs Resentment in Preston," Charleston Gazette, 9-24- 1987.
"House Full of History Looks to Future," Dominion Post, 9-10-1995.
"Howard's Charm and Style Lives," Dominion Post, 3-23-1975.
"Indian Story Told," Kingwood Journal, 1-18-1968.
"Innocence of Arthurdale: Victim of Our Progress?," Huntington Advertiser, 4-4- 1974.
"Iron Industry Was Early One in Preston," Dominion News, 9-25-1963.
"Isaac Smith Never Told Wife About Dream," Preston County News, 4-10-1970.
"John Stough and the Salem Community," Dominion Post, 4-6-1975.
"Judge Snyder Recalls Camp Dawson History," Preston County Journal, 6-25-1964.
"Kingwood Historical District Shows Signs of the Times," Dominion Post, 7-31- 1997.
"Lecture Wagon Took Members Through South," Dominion Post, 9-25-1963.
"LeRoys Bucklew's Collection Finds New Home in Courthouse," Preston County Journal, n. d.
"Letter Reveals Incidents from Early Preston History," Dominion Post, 1-22-1968.
"Life in the Free Sate Still Changing, Nellie Harned," Dominion Post, 4-4-1999.
"Local Shooting Recalls 1895 Showdown Here," Preston County Journal, 9-2-1971.
"Masontown: Quiet Farming Village... Into Industrial Center," Preston Co. Journal, 10- 13-1975.
"Morgantown Couple Buys Historic Preston Inn," Dominion Post, 6-17-1999.
"Newburg Started as Railroad Town in 1868," Dominion Post, 6-26-1983.
"Northwestern Turnpike Gave Birth to Fellowsville in 1848," Preston County Journal, 2- 19-1970.
"Obstacles Melt Before Woman's Will-Kingwood, Marietta Goines," Dominion Post, 3- 28-1999.
"Old Irondale Furnace at Gladesville Early Industry," Morgantown Post, 7-16- 1963.
"Old Poem Tells Fate Men Killed Newburg Mine Explosion," Preston Co. Journal, 9-3- 1959.
"Old Stone Tavern Sketch," Preston County Journal, 9-8-1975.
"Old Brick, 1846 Home, Evansville Pike, Independence," Dominion Post, 12-11- 1996.
"Old Fortney Mill at Irondale-Pictured," Dominion Post, 9-25-1963.
"Planes Wouldn't Fly, trains Couldn't Run in 1848," Preston County News, 2-5- 1970.
"Postal Permit Fan Salutes Independence," Dominion Post, 7-4-1997.
"Preserve Past, Protect Future," Dominion Post, 3-17-1994.
"Preston 150 Years in the Making," Preston County News, 1-11-1968.
"Preston History, 100 Years Ago," Preston County News, 7-29-1975.
"Preston County Formed in 1818," Preston County News, 9-26-1963.
"Preston County 132 Years Ago," Preston County News, 8-31-1967.
"Preston Has Festival to Honor Corps Buckwheat," Buckhannon Record, 10-14- 1938.
"Preston Historical Society Tells Of Numerous Indian Attacks," Grafton Sentinel, 1-22- 1968.
"Preston Economy Now Sees Forest Through the Trees," Dominion Post, 4-4-1999.
"Preston County, Yesterday, Today," Dominion News, 9-25-1963.
"Preston Lions Celebrate 50 Years," Dominion Post, 6-17-1995.
"Preston County 150 Eventful Years," Dominion Post, 1-14-1968.
"Preston County Marks 150th Birthday," Kingwood Journal, 1-18-1968.
"Preston Travelers Fins Many Things," Dominion Post, 6-17-1973.
"Proposed Rowelsburg Dam Threat to Coal...," Clarksburg Exponent, 11-12-1944.
"Prospectus of Preston County, West Virginia," Preston County News, 1-25, 6-11,7-30- 1970.
"Prospectus of Preston County, WV," Preston County News, 9-10-1970.
"Public Schools Development in Preston...," Dominion Post, 11-20-1966.
"Railroad Important to Birth of Tunnelton," Preston County Journal, 8-18-1975.
"Railroad Offers Historical Mountain Ride," Clarksburg Exponent-Telegram, 8-14- 1994.
"Railroad Aides in Growth of Community," Preston County Journal, 11-3-1975.
"Railroads, Coal Important to Development of Newburg," Preston Co. Journal, 8-25- 1975.
"Rockville Lived and Died With Logging," Dominion Post, 8-25-1974.
"Rowelsburg Story of Success," Dominion News, 9-4-1964.
"Rowelsburg Started Round River Tavern," Morgantown Post, 9-26-1963.
"Scenes From Preston's History," Preston County Journal, 9-28-1978.
"Silk Production Down Since 1860 Census," Preston County Journal, 11-28-1969.
"Something Old, Something New," Dominion Post, 11-30-1997.
"Spring 1870, Thoughts Turned to Prosperity," Preston County News, 7-17-1970.
"Started Early Preston School, Terra Alta Normal School," Dominion Post, 9-25- 1963.
"Story of Albright Bridge Told by Local Historian," Preston County News, 8-31- 1967.
"Tabs, Terra Alta Biological Station, Just a Few Miles...," Dominion Post, 5-5- 1974.
"Terra Alta Normal School," Dominion News, 9-25-1963.
"Terra Alta Bank, Your Silent Partner," Preston County News, 6-13-1968.
"The Story of Preston County and How it Grew...," Preston County Journal, 11-2- 1972.
"The Day the World Ended at Newburg," Preston County News, 1-4-1968.
"The Day the World Ended at Newburg," Preston County News, 1-18-1968.
"The Founding of Preston County," Dominion Post, 8-10-1975.
"Thirty Years Ago in Terra Alta," Preston County News, 2-20-1964.
"Threshing Scene in 1911," Preston County Journal, 1-12-1967.
"Tiniest Church?," Herald Dispatch, 6-17-1987.
"Tunnelton 1908...," Preston County Journal, 11-30-1972.
"Watermelon Days Began Back in 1891," Dominion News, 9-25-1968.
"Wonderous Mountains Ice Add History of Rowelsburg," Preston County Journal, 11- 13-1975.
"Work Begins Save Historic Kingwood Home, Major Charles Byrne," Dominion Post, 4-5-1990.
"WV Man Fulfills Antique Plane Needs," Parkersburg News, 2-10-1997.

Preston County Records on Microfilm

County History Resources

History Center

West Virginia Archives and History