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Pendleton County, West Virginia

Coordinates: 38°41′N 79°22′W / 38.68°N 79.36°W / 38.68; -79.36
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Pendleton County
County
Pendleton County Courthouse
Pendleton County Courthouse
Map of West Virginia highlighting Pendleton County
Location within the U.S. state of West Virginia
Map of the United States highlighting West Virginia
West Virginia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°41′N 79°22′W / 38.68°N 79.36°W / 38.68; -79.36
Country United States
State West Virginia
Founded1788
Named forEdmund Pendleton
SeatFranklin
Largest townFranklin
Area
 • Total
698 sq mi (1,810 km2)
 • Land696 sq mi (1,800 km2)
 • Water2.1 sq mi (5 km2)  0.3%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2015)
7,229
 • Density10/sq mi (4/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.pendletoncounty.wv.gov

Pendleton County is a county located in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 7,695,[1] making it the fifth-least populous county in West Virginia. Its county seat is Franklin.[2] The county was created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1788[3] from parts of Augusta, Hardy, and Rockingham Counties and was named for Edmund Pendleton (1721–1803), a distinguished Virginia statesman and jurist.[4][5] Pendleton County was strongly pro-Confederate during the American Civil War; however, there were pockets of Union support.[6]

Spruce Knob, located in Pendleton County, is the highest point in the state and in the Alleghenies, its elevation being 4,863 feet. Parts of the Monongahela and George Washington National Forests are also located in Pendleton.

History

By the 1740s, the three main valleys of what became Pendleton County had been visited and named by white hunters and prospectors. One of the hunters, a single man named Abraham Burner, built himself a log cabin about a half mile downstream of the future site of Brandywine in 1745. He was the county's first white settler. A local historian recorded that:

The site ...[was] on the left bank of the river, and near the beginning of a long, eastward bend. From almost at his very door his huntsman's eye was at times gladdened by seeing perhaps fifty deer either drinking from the steam or plunging in their heads up to their ears in search of moss.[7]

By 1747, immigrants were impinging on the (future) borders of Pendleton from two directions: the larger community was mostly Germans moving up the valley of the South Branch Potomac; the lesser consisted mainly of Scotch-Irish moving northwest from Staunton up into the headwaters of the James River. In an April 1758 surprise raid of Fort Seybert and nearby Fort Upper Tract occasioned by the French and Indian War (1754–63), most of the 60 white settlers sheltering there were massacred by Shawnee and Delaware warriors and the forts were burned.

Pendleton County was created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1788 from parts of Augusta, Hardy, and Rockingham Counties and was named for Edmund Pendleton, a distinguished Virginia statesman and jurist. Pendleton County was split between Northern and Southern sympathies during the American Civil War. The northern section of the county, including the enclave in the Smoke Hole community were staunchly Unionist. In June 1863, the county was included by the federal government in the new state of West Virginia against many of the inhabitants' wishes. In fall 1863, Union Brigadier General W.W. Averell swept up the South Branch valley and destroyed the Confederate saltpetre works above Franklin.[8]

At Franklin, the Pendleton County seat, the South Branch of the Potomac River crested at 22.6 feet during the 1985 Election day floods. Flood stage in the shallow riverbed was only 7 feet.[9] Most of the 47 people killed in this incident were in Pendleton and Grant counties, according to the National Weather Service.[9]

Geography

Germany Valley lies west of North Fork Mountain.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 698 square miles (1,810 km2), of which 696 square miles (1,800 km2) is land and 2.1 square miles (5.4 km2) (0.3%) is water.[10] It is the fifth-largest county in West Virginia by area.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

National Natural Landmarks

Economy

Pendleton County's economy consists mainly of small to medium-sized farms and small businesses. Most of these are in Franklin, the county's only incorporated town. The North Fork Valley, on the western side of the county, has a number of businesses that cater to tourists who come for the area's outdoor recreation opportunities. These include motels, restaurants, and guide services. In recent years, maple syrup has emerged as a major growth industry in the county. Dry Fork Maple Works, the state's largest maple sugaring operation, is based in Pendleton County (though its sugaring operation occurs mainly in neighboring Randolph County).[11]

The county is also home to a number of non-profits whose reaches extend well beyond the county lines. These include Almost Heaven Habitat for Humanity, Future Generations and Future Generations Graduate School, The Mountain Institute, and Mountain Springs Farm and Heritage Center.

The now closed Sugar Grove Station, a former naval base that once functioned as an electronic listening post for the National Security Agency, is located near the southeast corner of the Pendleton County.[12]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
17902,452—
18003,96261.6%
18104,2397.0%
18204,84614.3%
18306,27129.4%
18406,94010.7%
18505,795−16.5%
18606,1646.4%
18706,4554.7%
18808,02224.3%
18908,7118.6%
19009,1675.2%
19109,3492.0%
19209,6523.2%
19309,6600.1%
194010,88412.7%
19509,313−14.4%
19608,093−13.1%
19707,031−13.1%
19807,91012.5%
19908,0541.8%
20008,1961.8%
20107,695−6.1%
2015 (est.)7,229[13]−6.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[14]
1790–1960[15] 1900–1990[16]
1990–2000[17] 2010–2015[1]

2000 census

As of the census[18] of 2000, there were 8,196 people, 3,350 households, and 2,355 families residing in the county. The population density was 12 people per square mile (5/km²). There were 5,102 housing units at an average density of 7 per square mile (3/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.34% White, 2.12% Black or African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.28% from other races, and 0.77% from two or more races. 0.89% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,350 households out of which 28.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.40% were married couples living together, 8.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.70% were non-families. 25.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the county, the population was spread out with 21.80% under the age of 18, 7.30% from 18 to 24, 27.00% from 25 to 44, 26.10% from 45 to 64, and 17.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 101.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,429, and the median income for a family was $34,860. Males had a median income of $25,342 versus $16,753 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,805. About 8.00% of families and 11.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.60% of those under age 18 and 12.50% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 7,695 people, 3,285 households, and 2,179 families residing in the county.[19] The population density was 11.1 inhabitants per square mile (4.3/km2). There were 5,132 housing units at an average density of 7.4 per square mile (2.9/km2).[20] The racial makeup of the county was 96.2% white, 1.9% black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.9% of the population.[19] In terms of ancestry, 30.1% were German, 8.1% were American, 7.3% were Irish, and 6.4% were English.[21]

Of the 3,285 households, 24.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.6% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.7% were non-families, and 29.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.80. The median age was 47.3 years.[19]

The median income for a household in the county was $33,323 and the median income for a family was $49,613. Males had a median income of $38,190 versus $23,243 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,401. About 11.0% of families and 15.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.3% of those under age 18 and 22.2% of those age 65 or over.[22]

Politics

Presidential election results[23]
Year Republican Democrat
2016 73.68% 2,388 22.40% 726
2012 64.34% 2,095 32.99% 1,074
2008 59.94% 2,035 38.59% 1,310
2004 60.55% 2,146 38.97% 1,381
2000 61.97% 1,996 36.39% 1,172

Communities

Climbing Near Ketterman, West Virginia

Towns

Census-designated place

Unincorporated communities

Historic Places

Main article: National Register of Historic Places listings in Pendleton County, West Virginia

The following sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Site Year Built Address Community Listed
Bowers House late 19th century Brandywine-Sugar Grove Road Sugar Grove 1985
Circleville School 1930s WV 28 Circleville 1995
Cunningham-Hevener House late 19th century US 220 Upper Tract 1985
Franklin Historic District 19th-20th centuries US 33, Main Street, South Branch Potomac River, & High Street Franklin 1986
McCoy House 1848 Main Street Franklin 1982
McCoy Mill early 19th century Johnstown Road Franklin 1986
Old Judy Church (Old Log Church) early 19th century US 220 near Petersburg 1976
Old Propst Church late 18th century CR 21/9 Brandywine 1986
Pendleton County Poor Farm early 20th century US 220 Upper Tract 1986
Priest Mill early 20th century Off US 220, near Low-Water Bridge Franklin 2000
Sites Homestead (Wayside Inn) early 19th century Seneca Rocks Visitor Center Seneca Rocks 1993
  • Pendleton County Courthouse
    Pendleton County Courthouse
  • Seneca Rocks
    Seneca Rocks
  • Solomon's Chapel, one of the many smaller churches in Pendleton County, WV
    Solomon's Chapel, one of the many smaller churches in Pendleton County, WV
  • Mount Joel Schoolhouse, Simoda WV
    Mount Joel Schoolhouse, Simoda WV

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. ^ http://www.polsci.wvu.edu/wv/Pendleton/penhistory.html
  4. ^ "Pendleton County". West Virginia Division of Culture and History. Retrieved August 11, 2015.
  5. ^ "West Virginia: Individual County Chronologies". West Virginia Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2003. Retrieved August 11, 2015.
  6. ^ Pendleton County History, Dr. Robert Jay Dilger, Director, Institute for Public Affairs and Professor of Political Science, West Virginia University. http://www.polsci.wvu.edu/wv/Pendleton/penhistory.html
  7. ^ Morton, Oren F. (1910), A History of Pendleton County, West Virginia, Franklin, West Virginia. Reprint (1974) by Regional Publishing Company, Baltimore, pp 31-32.
  8. ^ West Virginia Writers Project (1940), Smoke Hole and Its People: A Social-Ethnic Study; Charleston, West Virginia: State Department of Education; Reprinted (pp 101-132) in: Shreve, D. Bardon (2005), Sheriff from Smoke Hole (and Other Smoke Hole Stories), Fredericksburg, Virginia: The Fredricksburg Press, Inc, pg 118.
  9. ^ a b West Virginia Gazette: "Remembering the '85 floods" (D. White) 4 Nov 2010
  10. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
  11. ^ West Virginia Press. (8 December 2014). Maple Syrup Pouring Out of West Virginia [Press Release]. http://wvpress.org/wvpa-sharing/maple-syrup-pouring-west-virginia/. Retrieved 29 January 2016 from www.wvpress.org.
  12. ^ e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia. (2015). "Sugar Grove Naval Station." e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia. Accessed 28 January 2016.
  13. ^ "County Totals Dataset: Population, Population Change and Estimated Components of Population Change: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  14. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
  15. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
  16. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
  17. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
  18. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  19. ^ a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2016-04-03.
  20. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2016-04-03.
  21. ^ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2016-04-03.
  22. ^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2016-04-03.
  23. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Retrieved 2016-11-18.

38°41′N 79°22′W / 38.68°N 79.36°W / 38.68; -79.36

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