West Union, West Virginia
West Union, West Virginia | |
|---|---|
 Main Street in West Union in 2006 | |
 Location of West Union, West Virginia | |
| Country | United States |
| State | West Virginia |
| County | Doddridge |
| Area | |
• Total | 0.38 sq mi (0.98 km2) |
| • Land | 0.36 sq mi (0.93 km2) |
| • Water | 0.02 sq mi (0.05 km2) |
| Elevation | 787 ft (240 m) |
| Population | |
• Total | 825 |
• Estimate (2012[3]) | 822 |
| • Density | 2,291.7/sq mi (884.8/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code | 26456 |
| Area code | 304 |
| FIPS code | 54-86116Template:GR |
| GNIS feature ID | 1548944Template:GR |
West Union, incorporated July 20, 1881, is a town in Doddridge County, West Virginia. The population was 825 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Doddridge CountyTemplate:GR. The mayor is Robert Fetty as of 2011. The town is located along Middle Island Creek at the junction of U.S. Route 50 and West Virginia Route 18; the North Bend Rail Trail also passes through the town.[4]
History
The area was first settled in the late 1780s by James Caldwell, who owned 20,000 acres (81 km2) of land that included present West Union. Caldwell sold this land to Nathan Davis and his brothers about 1807. They in turn sold 16,000 acres (65 km2) to Lewis Maxwell, a Virginia congressman. Nearby Maxwell Ridge is said to have a cave that was later used by the Underground Railroad.[5]
Davis supposedly suggested the name West Union, in deference to a proposed town of Union to be built on the eastern side of the creek. Union has disappeared, if it ever existed, but West Union was incorporated in 1881. It was home to Matthew M. Neely, grandfather of West Virginia’s 21st governor. Governor Matthew M. Neely was born just south of West Union.[5]
Doddridge County’s oil and gas industry was a boon to West Union. By 1906, the Ideal Glass Factory opened to take advantage of the abundant gas. It was followed by the Doddridge County Window Glass Company. The two plants employed about 300 people. In later years a garment factory opened, but closed in the 1970s. Today farming, timbering, oil and gas, and the business of county government and public education support the area, and many people commute to jobs in Salem, Clarksburg, and Parkersburg, or to the North Central Regional Jail in Greenwood.[5]
The Lathrop Russell Charter House, Doddridge County Courthouse, Silas P. Smith Opera House, and W. Scott Stuart House are individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[6] West Union is also home to two nationally recognized historic districts: West Union Downtown Historic District and West Union Residential Historic District.
Geography
West Union is located at 39°17′44″N 80°46′33″W / 39.295594°N 80.775888°W (39.295594, -80.775888).Template:GR
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.38 square miles (0.98 km2), of which, 0.36 square miles (0.93 km2) is land and 0.02 square miles (0.05 km2) is water.[1]
Demographics
2010 census
As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 825 people, 362 households, and 217 families residing in the town. The population density was 2,291.7 inhabitants per square mile (884.8/km2). There were 452 housing units at an average density of 1,255.6 per square mile (484.8/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 99.3% White, 0.2% Native American, 0.1% Asian, and 0.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.1% of the population.
There were 362 households of which 29.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.1% were married couples living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.1% were non-families. 38.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.96.
The median age in the town was 42.1 years. 23.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.4% were from 25 to 44; 25% were from 45 to 64; and 22.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 48.5% male and 51.5% female.
2000 census
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 806 people, 345 households, and 219 families residing in the town. The population density was 2,197.3 inhabitants per square mile (841.1/km2). There were 420 housing units at an average density of 1,145.0 per square mile (438.3/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 99.50% White, 0.50% from other races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.50% of the population.
There were 345 households out of which 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.8% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.5% were non-families. 33.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.90.
In the town the population was spread out with 23.1% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 23.0% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 23.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 80.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $18,300, and the median income for a family was $21,875. Males have a median income of $25,000 versus $19,688 for females. The per capita income for the town was $10,539. About 28.3% of families and 33.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 46.7% of those under age 18 and 17.9% of those age 65 or over.
Notable natives and residents
- Ephraim Bee, founder of the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus.
- Lewis Maxwell (1790 - 1862), U.S. Representative from Virginia
- Susan Friend Sheppard, author of metaphysical books, television personality ("Scariest Places on Earth" and "Mystery Hunters") and founder of the Haunted Parkerburg Ghost Tours; born and raised in West Union
- Clyde Ware, novelist (The Eden Tree) and television and motion picture director and screenwriter (No Drums, No Bugles).
- Bantz J. Craddock, four-star U.S. Army general
References
- ^ a b "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
- ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
- ^ "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-06-26.
- ^ DeLorme (1997). West Virginia Atlas & Gazetteer. Yarmouth, Maine: DeLorme. ISBN 0-89933-246-3.
- ^ a b c Frank Engle McCallum (November 12, 2010). "The West Virginia Encyclopedia: West Union". West Virginia Humanities Council. Retrieved 2011-07-23.
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
External links
Municipalities and communities of Doddridge County, West Virginia, United States | ||
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| Town |  | |
| Unincorporated communities | ||