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West Virginia Statehood

Sectional differences in western and easternVirginia fueled resentment and political divisionsbefore the Civil War. The divisions soon becameirrevocable after the convention in Richmond votedon April 17, 1861, for Virginia to secede and join theConfederacy. Far to the north of here, Wheeling, delegates of Virginia's western counties convenedin June. They first reorganized and restored theloyal government of Virginia, and then subsequently decided to create a new, loyal state fromVirginia's western counties. In the midst of the conflict, President Abraham Lincoln signed a billcreating West Virginia. On June 20, 1863, WestVirginia became the only state born of the Civil War.
???Wheeling became the state capitol - but not for long. In 1870, the seat of government moved south to Charleston after former Confederates regained theright to vote. Lawmakers, however, concideredCharleston isolated and provincial (with a population of only 3,162), so the capitol returned to Wheeling, which had 19,280 residents. A statewidereferendum eventually settled the issue, andCharleston became the permanent capitol in 1885.

Salt industry pioneer Daniel Ruffner built the housebehind you in 1815 as a tavern or "house of private entertainment." It was ideally situated on a well established transportation route, the James Riverand Kanawha Turnpike. By the time of the Civil War,this area (including the present capitol complex)was part of his estate called Holly Grove.

Civil War- and Military-Related Statuary on Capitol Grounds;
Union Soldier (West Virginians in Union service), SW corner
Lincoln Walks at Midnight (Creation of West Virginia),S riverfront lawn
Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson (Confederate soldiers),SE corner
Montani Semper Liberi (Men and Women of the Union), NE corner
Booker T. Washington (Famed African American Educator), N side
War Veterans Memorial, between Culture Center and parking garage

(Lower left picture)
West Virginia Capitol, completed 1885, burned 1921 Courtesy West Virginia Archives
(Right side picture)
U.S. Custom House (Independence Hall), Wheeling, in 1861Courtesy West Virginia Archives

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Show me all markers in:  Charleston, WV  |  Kanawha County  |  25311  |  West Virginia  |  United States of America

State Capitol
Executive Mansion
Union Civil War Monument
Abraham Lincoln Walks At Midnight
Abraham Lincoln
State Capitol
"The West Virginia Coal Miner"
State Capitol
Booker Taliaferro Washington
The Ruffners

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