West Virginia State West Virginia State HistoryHistory

Originally the State of Originally the State of Virginia…Virginia…

The original state of Virginia was The original state of Virginia was separated by a range of mountains. separated by a range of mountains. The north and west had little in The north and west had little in common with the wealthy planters common with the wealthy planters and large slave owners of the east and large slave owners of the east and south. and south.

The early history of West The early history of West Virginia is shared largely Virginia is shared largely

with the state of Virginia…with the state of Virginia… COALCOAL a mineral asset that would a mineral asset that would

figure significantly West Virginia's figure significantly West Virginia's history, was discovered in 1742. (In the history, was discovered in 1742. (In the northern and western portions of northern and western portions of Virginia) Virginia)

Other important natural resources are Other important natural resources are oil, natural gas, and hardwood forests, oil, natural gas, and hardwood forests, which cover about 75% of the state's which cover about 75% of the state's area.area.

Congress finally gave Congress finally gave consent to the addition of a consent to the addition of a

new state…new state…

On June 20, 1863- West Virginia On June 20, 1863- West Virginia was separated from the rest of was separated from the rest of Virginia and declared its own Virginia and declared its own State. State.

Making West Virginia the 35th Making West Virginia the 35th United State United State 

http://www.usgennet.org/usa/wv/state/wv_info.htmlhttp://www.usgennet.org/usa/wv/state/wv_info.html

Change of Capitals- Change of Capitals-

At this time the capital of West Virginia was At this time the capital of West Virginia was named Wheeling. named Wheeling.

In 1884, the capital was changed to In 1884, the capital was changed to Charleston. Charleston.

Today the state ranks Today the state ranks second in total coal second in total coal

production. production. And accounts for 15% of the total coal And accounts for 15% of the total coal

produced in the nation produced in the nation

It is also a leader in steel, glass, It is also a leader in steel, glass, hardwood lumber, aluminum, and hardwood lumber, aluminum, and chemical manufactures. chemical manufactures.

. .

Other Facts About the Other Facts About the State:State:

West Virginias nickname is West Virginias nickname is ‘The ‘The Mountain State’Mountain State’

The states motto is The states motto is “Mountaineers “Mountaineers are always free!”are always free!”

The State FlagThe State Flag

The flag was adopted in 1929.

State Flag: More about the WV state flag

January 23 1903… January 23 1903…

The states flower was declared the The states flower was declared the Big Laurel. Big Laurel.

In 1949 Legislation decided In 1949 Legislation decided the state tree for West the state tree for West Virginia would be theVirginia would be the

Sugar MapleSugar Maple

Also in 1949…Also in 1949…

The state bird was decided to be the The state bird was decided to be the CardinalCardinal

The Official West Virginia The Official West Virginia State SealState Seal

The state seal of West Virginia, is a The state seal of West Virginia, is a

symbol of the authority and sovereignty of symbol of the authority and sovereignty of the state and the importance of its people. the state and the importance of its people.