Spencer celebrates 150 years

By BRETT DUNLAP
SPENCER — The town of Spencer celebrated its status as “the biggest small city in West Virginia” Friday as the Roane County seat celebrated its 150th anniversary.

People gathered Friday morning at the Spencer City Building for an open house where Mayor Terry Williams and other officials representing local, state and national government paid tribute to the town’s longevity and growth.

‘‘Since our creation by the Virginia General Assembly in 1858, Spencer has always held a unique place in the hearts of all who consider it their home,’’ Williams said. ‘‘The survival of our community over the last 150 years is due to the strong commitment of family, strong commitment of business and the strong commitment of leadership to march forward during even the tougher times.

‘‘We have and will always be successful because of our hard work ethic and willingness to give back to the community we love so much.’’

Rev. Mike King of the First Baptist Church of Spencer gave an opening prayer and the benediction; Spencer attorney Orton Jones read the original minutes of the Virginia General Assembly regarding the creation of Spencer; state Delegate Bob Ashley, R-11th, read a proclamation from the state Legislature regarding the city’s anniversary; Tad Rupp read the remarks U.S. Rep. Shelly Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) recently entered into the congressional record; and former state Sen. Oshel Craigo detailed “My Journey Through Spencer.”

Friday’s event kicked off a celebration and series of events through the rest of the year, commemorating the city’s history and its people. A free lunch was held at Heritage Park that included hot dogs and birthday cake. Jim Rubin, a renowned Abraham Lincoln reenactor, gave a presentation as the 16th president.

According to the proclamation presented by Ashley, the town’s first settlers in the town were Samuel Tanner, his wife, Sudnar, their child, and a man called “Wolf,” who lived with the Tanner family, which arrived in the area in 1812. They found shelter in a cave while they built a cabin. Several years later, more settlers arrived. The town was then named Tanner’s Cross Road, primarily because two paths bisected the town. It was later known as Cassville and New California in 1840. In 1856, voters selected New California as the site for their county seat. In 1858, the town was chartered by the Virginia General Assembly and renamed Spencer, presumably in honor of Judge Spencer Roane, a Virginia jurist who died in 1822.

Craigo talked about his experiences as a state senator in his efforts to save the old Spencer State Hospital, helping to get a new city building built by housing it with a department of motor vehicles office and more.

Craigo was elected to the state senate in 1980 to represent Putnam, Mason, Jackson, Roane and Calhoun, even though he lost the vote in Roane County itself that first term.

However, soon after coming into office, he learned plans were under way to close the Spencer State Hospital. At the time the hospital employed 300 people and was a huge economic engine for the area, Craigo said.

Since he was new and didn’t have the connections others had, he carried around a red lantern for 60 days to get people to ask him why he carried it. That gave him the opportunity to talk to legislators and others about the hospital and the need to save it. It became a point of fascination for some and an object of ridicule for others, but it kept people talking about the hospital.

His efforts succeeded in saving the hospital. Craigo said he was invited to a open house at the hospital where he was able to light his lantern as a sign of victory.

‘‘We prevailed for a couple of years,’’ he said.

Eventually the hospital was closed and the state ended up donating the hospital’s property to the city and it is now the site of the Spencer Wal-Mart store and other businesses that are bringing tax revenue to the city.

Craigo brought his lantern to the open house Friday.

One does not see class divisions in Spencer because it has taken the will of the entire community to and persevere through the hard times over the years, he said.

‘‘The community has pulled together and survived together,’’ Craigo said. ‘‘This is a great place.’’

Capito recognized the city of Spencer this week on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.

“I rise today to recognize the 150th anniversary of the city of Spencer,’’ the record shows Capito saying. ‘‘Located in the heart of the state, Spencer’s rich history and strong sense of community make it one of the best small towns in America.

“Spencer traces its beginnings to 1812, when Samuel Tanner and Jonathan Wolfe first settled there. The city weathered frontier hardships and Civil War divisions to grow into a thriving town. Today, Spencer is noted for its vibrant Main Street and the Black Walnut Festival, which attracts thousands of visitors annually. The city of Spencer represents the very best of West Virginia. I am honored to represent its people and wish the city well during its next 150 years.”

Spencer has always been the center of commerce for the area, Williams said.

Downtown Spencer is undergoing a revitalization project with a streetscape project, which includes brick sidewalks, new lighting with colonial lamp posts, new sidewalks and underground conduits.

Residents and visitors are taking advantage of the new downtown businesses including the Spencer Antique Mall, comprised of more than 40 vendors, other antique stores and gift shops and many restaurants.

‘‘Spencer is enjoying one of the most exciting times in recent history with the revitalization of our town and many new businesses,’’ Williams said. ‘‘Is it any wonder then that here we are in our 150th year already talking about how exciting it will be for those who celebrate 200th.”