20 Interesting West Virginia Facts

By Karin Lehnardt, Senior Writer

Published November 12, 2024

The only state in America to declare its independence from another state is West Virginia._[7]
Spruce Knob is the highest point in the Allegheny Mountains and in West Virginia._[7]
Cecil Harland Underwood was West Virginia's 25th and 32nd governor, and he was both the youngest and oldest governor of the state._[3]
West Virginia's nickname is the Mountain State. It is the only state located entirely within a mountain range, and it has the highest average elevation of any state east of the Mississippi._[7]

Bridge Day in West Virginia is for everyone! (Jeremy Markovich / Creative Commons)

The New River Gorge Bridge hosts Bridge Day each year. This is when base jumpers congregate and jump from the 876-foot-high (267 m) bridge._[7]
Over 3/4 of West Virginia is covered in forests, and it is the third most forested state in America._[7]
Originally, West Virginia was going to be named "Kanawha," after a Native American Tribe. However, after it became part of the Commonwealth of Virginia, officials decided that "Virginia" would be its name._[5]
America's oldest five-and-dime store is Berdine's Five and Dime. Located in Harrisville, West Virginia, it has been continuously operating since 1908._[1]
The New River in West Virginia is the second oldest river in the world, ranging between 10 and 360 million years old. It is especially unusual in that it flows south to north, unlike most rivers in North America._[4]

The Census Bureau regards West Virginia as a Southern state because much of the state is below the Mason-Dixon line

West Virginia is the southernmost northern state and the northernmost southern state._[5]
West Virginia's Trans Allegheny Lunatic Asylum is a National Historic Landmark. It is also the largest hand-cut stone masonry building in North America and second largest in the world, after the Kremlin._[7]
The Battle of Philippi in West Virginia was the first organized land battle of the Civil War. There were about 300 causalities, most of whom were Confederate soldiers._[2]
West Virginia inventions include Mother's Day, the pepperoni roll, and the steamboat._[5]
The Lilly family reunion in West Virginia is the largest family reunion held in the United States, with over 10,000 guests each year._[6]
The West Virginia state song is John Denver's "Take Me Home, Country Roads."_[5]

The Grave Creek Mound in West Virginia is estimated to have been built around 300 B.C.

West Virginia is home to 424 recorded prehistoric mounds left by ancient people who once lived there. The largest mound is at least 70 feet tall, which would have required its builders to carry over 3 million baskets of earth._[11]
The golden delicious apple was discovered in West Virginia._[10]
Chester, West Virginia, is home to the World's Biggest Teapot._[9]
West Virginia has several towns with unique names, such as Pie, True, Jumping Branch, Odd, and Paw Paw._[8]
Proposed names for West Virginia were “Westsylvania” and “Vandalia."_[5]