New Martinsville Downtown Walking Tour

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The building that houses the museum began as the Wells Hardware Company, which was owned and operated by Friend Cox Wells (1848-1939). Wells’ daughter, Sara Wells Eakin (1882-1961) and her husband, J.O. Eakins (1883-1958) joined the store as partners and transformed the shop into the Wells Hardware and Furniture Company. Wells Hardware remained in operation until Friend’s grandson, J. Wells Eakin, retired in 1997. The building then housed the newly formed Wetzel County Historical Society which was spearheaded by Jim Fitzsimmons (1924-2009). The Historical Society operated with the purpose of displaying historical objects, old photographs, and telling stories of Wetzel County’s fascinating past.

2. Adena Burial Mound Historical Marker

In July 2011, a historical marker was dedicated to an Adena mound determined to be submerged under the Ohio River's waters near New Martinsville. The Adena culture existed between approximately 1000-200 BCE in the Ohio Valley region. The Adena were known for their long-range trade networks, large burial mounds, and geometric earthworks. The burial mound under the Ohio River is one of many scattered throughout West Virginia, with several more Adena mounds in Marshall County to the north.

3. Levi Morgan Monument

Born in 1766, Levi Morgan hailed from a prominent western Virginia family. Growing up in the Virginia backcountry, Morgan became a skilled frontiersmen and noted Indian fighter. He routinely engaged Native Americans in frontier clashes. Morgan also served in the 1791 expedition against Little Turtle's Western Indian Confederacy in the Ohio country, which ended in disaster at the Battle of the Wabash. He died in Kentucky in 1826. In 1901, Levi's ancestor Aaron Morgan helped secure state funds for a monument to Levi Morgan in New Martinsville. The monument was dedicated to much fanfare in 1902.

4. Lincoln Theater

Standing in New Martinsville, WV since it's opening day in 1920, the Lincoln Theater is a cultural landmark and popular tourist attraction in the local community. Housing a variety of events and shows, including performances by local theater groups, the Lincoln Theater should be a stop for any arts enthusiasts coming to West Virginia, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

5. Wetzel County War Memorial Building

In 1927, the local New Martinsville Kiwanis Club and American Legion decided to build a "living" monument commemorating its local World War I veterans. This building is the result. The American Legion spearheaded the initiative, and between a Wetzel County levy and the Legion's fundraising efforts, $30,000 was raised to construct the War Memorial Building at the corner of Main and Virginia Streets. Local citizens and civic groups have utilized the building for nearly a century, including during World War II by both the Red Cross and Civil Defense. Plaques and monuments on the site honor veterans of both World Wars and the Korean War. Nearly 60,000 West Virginians served in World War I, and 5,000 became casualties.

This Tour is a Walking Tour.

New Martinsville Downtown Walking Tour

Created by Zachery Cowsert on September 8th 2020, 3:30:19 am.

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Description

This five-stop walking tour explores the history of New Martinsville and Wetzel County, West Virginia. First settled in the late 1700s, the town of Martinsville (later New Martinsville) was established in 1848 and serves as the county seat. This short tour begins at the Wetzel County Museum, a great place to learn more about local history. The next two stops— the Adena Burial Mound Historical Marker and Levi Morgan Monument—explore the area’s rich pre-Columbian and colonial history. The fourth stop takes visitors to the Lincoln Theater, a cultural centerpiece of New Martinsville. The final stop is the Wetzel County War Memorial Building, which serves as a living monument to local citizens who’ve served in 20th century conflicts.

Entries on This Tour

New Martinsville Downtown Walking Tour

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