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42-432: The Meathouse Fork's entire course and watershed are in southern and central Doddridge County . It is formed in southeastern Doddridge County by the confluence of Big Isaac Creek, 2 miles (3.2 km) long, which rises approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) southeast of the community of Miletus and flows southeastward; and Laurel Run, 1.6 miles (2.6 km) long, which rises approximately 0.75 miles (1.21 km) northeast of

84-495: A Virginia Assembly delegate in the 1820s who later became a U.S. Congressman . In 1828 Ephraim Bee , Sr (1802–1888) and his wife Catherine established a log home on Meathouse Fork of Middle Island Creek , now part of West Union. They built an Inn across the "Creek" (really a river) at what was then called Lewisport (Congressman Maxwell's namesake), below a blockhouse on the Northwestern Turnpike . The "Beehive Inn" became

126-520: A contract was awarded to the well-known civil engineer Claudius Crozet to build a covered bridge at West Union, as part of a series of public works along the Turnpike. Ephraim Bee was later to become a district officer, magistrate, state legislator, hotelier, and postmaster. As blacksmith, he made all the bolts and bands for the West Union Covered Bridge , completed in 1843. Doddridge County

168-407: A female householder with no spouse present, 17.6% had a male householder with no spouse present. The average household and family size was 3.75. The median age in the county was 48.1 years with 19.5% of the population under 18. The median income for a household was $ 50,601 and the poverty rate was 12%. As of the census of 2000, there were 9,592 people, 3,836 households, and 2,834 families living in

210-545: A garment factory opened, but closed in the mid-1990s. A long-remembered flood devastated West Union in June 1950, destroying homes and businesses and killing more than 20 people throughout the county. (One casualty was the 107-year-old covered bridge.) 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

252-476: A household in the county was $ 26,744, and the median income for a family was $ 30,502. Males had a median income of $ 26,902 versus $ 20,250 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 13,507. About 15.30% of families and 19.80% of the population were below the poverty line , including 23.00% of those under age 18 and 13.60% of those age 65 or over. As of the 2010 United States census , there were 8,202 people, 3,099 households, and 2,169 families living in

294-476: A household in the county was $ 29,290, and the median income for a family was $ 35,320. Males had a median income of $ 34,250 versus $ 18,140 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 15,216. About 12.20% of families and 16.60% of the population were below the poverty line , including 24.00% of those under age 18 and 12.70% of those age 65 or over. As of the 2010 United States census , there were 9,208 people, 3,858 households, and 2,638 families living in

336-408: A popular place for travelers and locals to meet, refresh themselves and re-provision. Bee operated the first local blacksmith shop; a farm, stables, tannery and horse-racing track soon followed. According to Ephraim's father, A.A. Bee: "The first bridge across Middle Island Creek [at West Union] was of hewed logs with a center abutment of stones. In the great flood of 1835 it was washed away". In 1842,

378-517: Is part of the Clarksburg, West Virginia, WV Micropolitan Statistical Area . The area that became Doddridge County, Virginia – now West Virginia – was first settled in the late 1780s by James Caldwell, who owned 20,000 acres (81 km ) of land that included present West Union. Caldwell sold this land to Nathan Davis, Jr (1772-1866) and his brothers Joseph and William around 1807. They in turn sold 16,000 acres (65 km ) to Lewis Maxwell (1790-1862),

420-512: Is water. As of the 2020 census, there were 8,313 people and 2,894 households residing in the county. There were 4,119 housing units in Tyler. The racial makeup of the county was 96% White , 0.2% Native American , 0.04% African American , 0.03% Asian , 0.2% from other races , and 3.5% from two or more races . Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 0.6% of the population. Of the 2,894 households, 50.1% were married couples living together, 27.1% had

462-499: The 2020 census , the population was 8,313. Its county seat is Middlebourne . The county was founded in 1814 and is named after John Tyler, Sr. , father of President John Tyler . The earliest white hunters (mainly of Scotch-Irish, English, and German descent) settled in what later became Tyler County in 1792 near the present town of Friendly. This area on the banks of the Ohio River was former Indian hunting grounds. Tyler County

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504-629: The United States Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 320 square miles (830 km ), of which 320 square miles (830 km ) is land and 0.8 square miles (2.1 km ) (0.2%) is water. As of the 2020 census, there were 7,808 people and 2,309 households residing in the county. There were 3,241 housing units in Doddridge. The racial makeup of the county was 93.5% White, 2.2% African American, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% Native American, 0.4% from other races, and 3.4% from two or more races. Of

546-499: The county seat at Lewisport. But Nathan Davis, Jr (who was Ephraim's wife's uncle), William Fitz Randolph, and others, won out in favor of West Union, across the river on the south side. There Ethelbert Bond (Nathan's son-in-law and William's wife's cousin) laid out the town lots in regular fashion on land formerly owned by Davis. Progress of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad , on its way from Clarksburg to Parkersburg, reached and bisected

588-443: The 1980s, when they were consolidated into four new magisterial districts: Central, North, South, and West. The names and boundaries of the historic magisterial districts continued to exist in the form of tax and assessment districts. According to the United States Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 261 square miles (680 km ), of which 256 square miles (660 km ) is land and 4.4 square miles (11 km ) (1.7%)

630-413: The 2,309 households, 66.9% were married couples living together, 16.9% had a female householder with no spouse present, 13.6% had a male householder with no spouse present. The average household and family size was 3.65. The median age in the county was 46.2 years with 15.2% of the population under 18. The median income for a household was $ 58,750 and the poverty rate was 15.2%. As of the census of 2010,

672-473: The Civil War. Only two Democratic presidential candidates have won Doddridge County since West Virginia's statehood: Samuel J. Tilden in 1876, and Lyndon Johnson – who won by just six votes – in 1964. 39°16′N 80°42′W  /  39.26°N 80.70°W  / 39.26; -80.70 Tyler County, West Virginia Tyler County is a county in the U.S. state of West Virginia . As of

714-581: The Congressman's family – is said to have a cave (Gatrell Cave) that was used by the Underground Railroad in the years leading up to the Civil War. Another nearby grotto, Jaco Cave, is said to have been used for the same purpose and is also featured in a movie from the 1970s called “No Drums, No Bugles” which features some locals as well as Martin Sheen, father of Charlie Sheen. The county seat of West Union

756-626: The Democratic Party between the New Deal and Bill Clinton's presidency , most of West Virginia has since 2000 seen an extremely rapid swing towards the Republican Party due to declining unionization and differences with the Democratic Party's liberal views on social issues. In contrast, Doddridge County along with neighbouring Ritchie County and Tyler County were historically powerfully Unionist and have always been rock-ribbed Republican since

798-594: The Democratic Party between the New Deal and Bill Clinton's presidency , most of West Virginia has since 2000 seen an extremely rapid swing towards the Republican Party due to declining unionization. In contrast, Tyler County, along with neighboring Doddridge County and Ritchie County were historically powerfully Unionist and have been rock-ribbed Republican since the Civil War. The only Democratic presidential candidates to have won Tyler County since West Virginia's statehood are Woodrow Wilson in 1912, who won by just 64 votes, and Bill Clinton in 1996. Clinton's win in 1996

840-606: The North Central Regional Jail in Greenwood. 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 . West Union is also home to two nationally recognized historic districts : West Union Downtown Historic District and West Union Residential Historic District . According to

882-480: The branch of Middle Island Creek which extends from near Smithburg to Big Isaac took the name of Meat House Fork. Multiple West Virginia stage record fish were caught along the Meathouse Fork. Doddridge County, West Virginia Doddridge County is a county in the U.S. state of West Virginia . As of the 2020 census , the population was 7,808. Its county seat is West Union . Doddridge County

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924-454: The community of Big Isaac and flows westward, through Big Isaac. From this confluence, approximately 0.9 miles (1.4 km) west of Big Isaac, the Meathouse Fork flows generally northwestward, through the unincorporated communities of Avon , New Milton , Sugar Camp , and Blandville , to Smithburg , where it joins Buckeye Creek to form Middle Island Creek. The Meathouse Fork collects its largest tributary, Toms Fork , at Sugar Camp. In

966-524: The county in 1856. On the night of March 27, 1858, a fire devastated the town of West Union. West Virginia became a state following the Wheeling Conventions of 1861, after the American Civil War had begun. In 1863, West Virginia's counties were divided into civil townships , with the intention of encouraging local government. This proved impractical in the heavily rural state, and in 1872

1008-411: The county. The population density was 25.7 inhabitants per square mile (9.9/km ). There were 3,946 housing units at an average density of 12.3 units per square mile (4.7 units/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 97.0% white, 1.4% black or African American, 0.3% American Indian, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.5% of

1050-412: The county. The population density was 35.9 inhabitants per square mile (13.9/km ). There were 5,000 housing units at an average density of 19.5 units per square mile (7.5 units/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 99.0% white, 0.2% American Indian, 0.2% black or African American, 0.1% Asian, 0.0% from other races, and 0.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.5% of

1092-415: The county. The population density was 37 people per square mile (14 people/km ). There were 4,780 housing units at an average density of 19 units per square mile (7.3 units/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 99.35% White , 0.02% Black or African American , 0.05% Native American , 0.08% Asian , 0.01% Pacific Islander , 0.03% from other races , and 0.45% from two or more races. 0.43% of

1134-648: The height of the Civil War , Tyler was one of fifty Virginia counties that entered the Union as the state of West Virginia. Later that year, the counties were divided into civil townships , with the intention of encouraging local government. This proved impractical in the heavily rural state, and in 1872 the townships were converted into magisterial districts . Tyler County was divided into six districts: Centreville, Ellsworth, Lincoln, McElroy, Meade, and Union. Except for minor adjustments, these districts were largely unchanged until

1176-609: The petroleum operations. Almost every local farm benefited from this as free gas was piped to the farmhouses of many landowners. Gas was soon used for heating, lighting, and cooking, which replaced the wood stoves, kerosene and candles of previous generations. By 1906, the Ideal Glass Factory opened to take advantage of the abundant natural gas. It was followed by the Doddridge County Window Glass Company. The two plants employed about 300 people. In later years

1218-518: The population was 8,202. As of the census of 2000, there were 7,403 people, 2,845 households, and 2,102 families living in the county. The population density was 23 people per square mile (8.9 people/km ). There were 3,661 housing units at an average density of 11 units per square mile (4.2 units/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 98.31% White , 0.27% Black or African American , 0.31% Native American , 0.15% Asian , 0.14% from other races , and 0.82% from two or more races. 0.57% of

1260-442: The population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 2,845 households, out of which 32.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.30% were married couples living together, 10.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.10% were non-families. 22.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size

1302-441: The population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 3,836 households, out of which 30.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.40% were married couples living together, 8.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.10% were non-families. 23.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size

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1344-421: The population. In terms of ancestry, 23.3% were German , 16.1% were English , 12.7% were Irish , and 11.8% were American . Of the 3,858 households, 27.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.2% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 31.6% were non-families, and 27.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size

1386-450: The population. In terms of ancestry, 24.3% were German , 16.8% were Irish , 11.7% were English , 10.3% were American , and 6.1% were French Canadian . Of the 3,099 households, 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.7% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.0% were non-families, and 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size

1428-497: The townships were converted into magisterial districts . Doddridge County was divided into six districts: Central, Grant, McClellan, New Milton, Southwest, and West Union. A seventh district, Greenbrier, was created from part of New Milton in 1885; and an eighth, Cove, was formed from part of Southwest District between 1890 and 1900. The historic magisterial districts were consolidated into four new districts between 1980 and 1990: Beech, Maple, Oak, and Pine. Maxwell Ridge – named for

1470-502: The vicinity of Sugar Camp and Blandville, it is paralleled by West Virginia Route 18 . The origin of the name of this watershed and community, given by the earliest white settlers in the 1820s, was detailed by a local historian a century later: On this spot of ground hunters from other sections who came to this community to hunt deer and bear built a log cabin in which to store their meat until they could move it to their homes in other and, sometimes, remote sections. From this meat house,

1512-452: Was incorporated on July 20, 1881. Doddridge County's oil and gas industry was an enormous boon to residents. The county's first oil pool, at Center Point , was discovered ("brought in" as it was then termed) and drilled in 1892. This was an extension of the technology and boom of the western Pennsylvania oil and gas fields into Tyler and Doddridge Counties. Many farm owners, and sons of farm owners, split their time between their farmwork and

1554-498: Was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.84. The median age was 45.2 years. The median income for a household in the county was $ 33,496 and the median income for a family was $ 42,209. Males had a median income of $ 37,414 versus $ 25,335 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 18,245. About 12.9% of families and 18.1% of the population were below the poverty line , including 25.0% of those under age 18 and 9.8% of those age 65 or over. After having leaned strongly towards

1596-499: Was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.87. The median age was 42.4 years. The median income for a household in the county was $ 30,019 and the median income for a family was $ 34,016. Males had a median income of $ 30,219 versus $ 21,121 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 14,658. About 15.4% of families and 25.1% of the population were below the poverty line , including 36.7% of those under age 18 and 20.2% of those age 65 or over. After having leaned strongly towards

1638-400: Was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.89. In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.30% under the age of 18, 6.50% from 18 to 24, 26.90% from 25 to 44, 26.90% from 45 to 64, and 16.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 95.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.90 males. The median income for

1680-402: Was 2.56 and the average family size was 2.98. In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.00% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 26.60% from 25 to 44, 25.10% from 45 to 64, and 14.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.10 males. The median income for

1722-484: Was officially created in 1845 from parts of Harrison , Tyler , Ritchie , and Lewis Counties of what was then still Virginia. It was named for Philip Doddridge (1773–1832), the late statesman of western Virginia who was the leading voice for westerners during the Virginia Constitutional Convention of 1829–1830 . When it was announced the new county would be formed, Ephraim Bee rallied to locate

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1764-440: Was officially formed from a portion of what was then Ohio County, Virginia , on December 6, 1814. The following year, Middlebourne (founded 1798) became the county seat. This vast area was diminished over the years: in 1845 a small portion went the newly established Doddridge County ; in 1846 the northern half went to make up the new Wetzel County ; and in 1851 the southern third went to Pleasants County . On June 20, 1863, at

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