While there were no significant battles fought in Greater Parkersburg during the Civil War, the county was greatly changed. It lay at the junction of two major turnpikes, two rivers, and was on the main line of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. It instantly became a key transportation hub. In addition, the area provided more leaders for the West Virginia Statehood cause than any other county and because of its strategic location became a dominant force in the establishment of West Virginia.
Civil War Trails is a multi-state program with driving tours of Civil War sites. Interpretive markers have been installed in six locations in the immediate area.
FORT BOREMAN HISTORICAL PARK
Just off US Rt. 50 at the Marrtown Road exit,
1 mile from Downtown Parkersburg
The men of Co. A, 11th West Virginia Infantry (US), constructed Fort Boreman in 1863 to protect the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad here. The B&O, the most important east-west rail line that linked the Atlantic coast with the American interior, was vitally important for the safe shipment of military supplies as well as U.S. Army troops.
HENDERSON HALL
517 River Road (Off WV 14), Williamstown
2 miles south of Williamstown/ 7 miles north of Parkersburg
This was the home of George Washington Henderson, a prominent Wood County resident, slaveholder, and participant in the West Virginia statehood movement during the Civil War.
COL. ADAM “STOVEPIPE” JOHNSON’S CROSSING
Belleville Locks, Belleville
On July 19, 1863, Confederate Gen. John Hunt Morgan attempted to lead his men across the Ohio River into West Virginia at Buffington Island. Federal infantry and gunboats, however, repelled the attempt, and Morgan sent his men northeast to an unguarded ford here. Col. Adam “Stovepipe” Johnson succeeded in crossing with almost 300 men, although some drowned in the high water.
GEN. GEORGE MCCLELLAN’S INVASION INTO THE CONFEDERACY
Point Park, Downtown Parkersburg
Parkersburg was of strategic importance during the war. Besides its location on the Ohio River, the Northwestern Virginia Railroad branch of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, the Staunton and Parkersburg Turnpike, and the Northwestern Turnpike all served the city and county. Union Gen. George B. McClellan was informed in May 1861 that Confederates were threatening the railroad and sent troops to protect the terminus.
OIL & GAS MUSEUM
119 Third Street, Downtown Parkersburg
Several Parkersburg residents played a role in carving the new state of West Virginia from Virginia and in representing it at the national level. Peter G. Van Winkle contributed to drafting the first constitution for the new state of West Virginia and served as one of its first two U.S. senators. Arthur I. Boreman became the state’s first governor. William E. Stevenson served in the first state constitutional convention and became the state’s third governor.
BURNING SPRINGS OIL FIELD
Exit 170 off I-77. Follow Rt. 14 south 13 miles to Elizabeth. Turn left on WV 5. Park located 7 miles at Burning Springs.
On May 9, 1863, Confederate Gen. William E. “Grumble” Jones led his cavalrymen to Burning Springs before continuing southeast. His men set the oil fields afire, and the burning oil turned the Little Kanawha River into a sheet of flames for eight miles. The light from the fire was visible in Parkersburg, 42 miles away.
Thank you. I’m looking for someone who knows where Little Mac crossed the Ohio on his way to Phillipi
We believe that General McClellan crossed the river at Parkersburg on June 22nd, 1861, and it is believed that he stayed overnight at the historic Oakland Estate here in Parkersburg while on his way to Grafton. According to local lore, the marks of his spurs may still be seen on a table at Oakland.