In early November 1932, the gala celebration of the George Washington pageant of Oct. 27 continued by the placing and dedication of the Washington stone in Parkersburg City Park. Stones were also placed at Williamstown and Washington Bottom. (Photo Provided)

Retracing George Washington’s tracks through West Virginia continues

“Again in 1784, Washington, after a visit with his brother near Charles Town, Jefferson County, went westward to the Cheat River region in Preston and Monongalia counties, having passed through the Eastern Panhandle and South Branch regions en route. He was still thinking about his valuable land holdings in western Virginia because he had in mind established a system of canals and portages that would unite eastern and western streams into an all-water route from the Atlantic to the Ohio and Mississippi valleys.

“Washington was convinced after this trip that a suitable portage could be effected from the Potomac branch of the Youghiogheny River, then to the Cheat [River] and by way of Monongahela River and its West Fork to the Little Kanawha River. This portage would terminate at the Indian village in Braxton County which [later] became known as Bulltown. From this point there was direct water transportation to the Ohio, the Mississippi and the Gulf of Mexico.

“During his youth Washington made several surveying trips into [what is now] West Virginia, mostly in the Eastern Panhandle. The years 1753, 1754 and 1755 saw Washington cross the eastern part of the state en route to Fort Duquesne at Pittsburgh. The first trip was as a British embassy, the second as commander of a military expedition and the third as an aide-de-camp to General Braddock.

“In 1775, Washington also inspected lands in eastern West Virginia, including the South Branch Valley. During the period from 1756 to 1758, he was commander of Virginia forces in operations against the French and frequently visited what is now West Virginia. His brother maintained his home in Jefferson County, and Washington enjoyed visits to the Berkeley [Hot] Springs. A few other inspection trips brought Washington within the present boundaries of this state. As President of the United States, he appeared once in this state in 1794 to inspect troops during the ‘Whiskey Rebellion.’ At that time, he visited Berkeley Springs again and enjoyed the baths. Taylor, Harrison and other counties also claim to have been honored by visits of Washington. These points are readily accessible to the traveler who makes a special visit to the state or merely passes through.

“Millions of people within a 500 miles radius of West Virginia are realizing the ease with which they can enjoy a vacation in West Virginia. If they are planning to visit Washington this season, they can readily arrange a schedule to spend some time going or coming in West Virginia. They will feel the throb of romantic interest at hundreds of places in the state. They will view with awe marvelous panoramas of forest and field, mountain and plain. They will find a variety of historic, scenic and industrial interests that is unequalled anywhere in America.

The Parkersburg News

January 17, 1932

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Please note: In 2026 the United States will celebrate its semiquincentennial, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. In 2016, ten years before, the federal government set up a commission, preparing for this celebration. This will be a BIG DEAL nationally. Other organizations, cities and counties across West Virginia have already been planning for this gala event. Locally however, the only groups I’ve heard of who are planning events for the semiquincentennial are our DAR and SAR chapters. It is hoped that city and county officials and other organizations will realize that we are but two years away from this major event, and begin to make plans that might honor the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Revolutionary War, or perhaps again, the father of our country, George Washington.

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Bob Enoch is president of the Wood County Historical and Preservation Society. If you have comments or questions about Look Back items, please contact him at: roberteenoch@gmail.com, or by mail at WCHPS, PO Box 565, Parkersburg, WV 26102.