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
Official seal of Pendleton County
Seal
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
FoundedMay 1, 1788
Named forEdmund Pendleton
SeatFranklin
Largest townFranklin
Area
 • Total698 sq mi (1,810 km2)
 • Land696 sq mi (1,800 km2)
 • Water2.1 sq mi (5 km2)  0.3%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total6,143
 • Estimate 
(2021)
6,142 Decrease
 • Density8.8/sq mi (3.4/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 2020 census, the population was 6,143,[1] making it the second-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 Unionists who supported the state government in Wheeling.[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[edit]

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 was staunchly Unionist. In June 1863, the county was included by the federal government in the new state of West Virginia against the wishes of many of the inhabitants. That fall, Union General W.W. Averell swept up the South Branch valley, and destroyed the Confederate saltpetre works above Franklin.[8]

In the months following the state's establishment, 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 the townships were converted into magisterial districts.[9] Pendleton County was divided into six districts: Bethel, Circleville, Franklin, Mill Run, Sugar Grove, and Union. Except for minor adjustments, these magisterial districts remained largely unchanged until the 1990s, when they were consolidated into three new districts: Central, Eastern, and Western.[10]

Pendleton County and the surrounding area were hit by severe flooding in November 1985. At Franklin, the county seat, the South Branch of the Potomac crested at 22.6 feet, more than fifteen feet[i] above flood stage in the shallow riverbed.[11] Sixty-two people were killed in West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, in what became known as the "1985 Election Day floods" in Virginia, or the "Killer Floods of 1985" in West Virginia. According to the National Weather Service, thirty-eight of the deaths occurred in Pendleton and Grant Counties, West Virginia.[11] Twenty-two people were killed in Virginia, and there was one fatality each attributed to the flooding in Maryland and Pennsylvania.

Geography[edit]

Germany Valley lies west of North Fork Mountain

According to the United States 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.[12] It is the fifth-largest county in West Virginia by area.

Map

Major highways[edit]

Adjacent counties[edit]

National protected areas[edit]

National Natural Landmarks[edit]

Economy[edit]

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).[13]

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.

Sugar Grove Station, an electronic listening post for the National Security Agency, is located near the southeast corner of the Pendleton County.[14]

Demographics[edit]

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%
20206,143−20.2%
2021 (est.)6,142[15]0.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[16]
1790–1960[17] 1900–1990[18]
1990–2000[19] 2010–2020[1]

2000 census[edit]

As of the census 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 (4.6 people/km2). There were 5,102 housing units at an average density of 7 per square mile (2.7/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[edit]

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 7,695 people, 3,285 households, and 2,179 families residing in the county.[20] 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).[21] 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.[20] In terms of ancestry, 30.1% were German, 8.1% were American, 7.3% were Irish, and 6.4% were English.[22]

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.[20]

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.[23]

Politics[edit]

United States presidential election results for Pendleton County, West Virginia[24]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 2,782 76.03% 820 22.41% 57 1.56%
2016 2,398 73.69% 729 22.40% 127 3.90%
2012 2,095 64.34% 1,074 32.99% 87 2.67%
2008 2,035 59.94% 1,310 38.59% 50 1.47%
2004 2,146 60.55% 1,381 38.97% 17 0.48%
2000 1,996 61.97% 1,172 36.39% 53 1.65%
1996 1,431 43.26% 1,591 48.10% 286 8.65%
1992 1,589 44.35% 1,626 45.38% 368 10.27%
1988 1,901 54.27% 1,595 45.53% 7 0.20%
1984 2,047 58.19% 1,464 41.61% 7 0.20%
1980 1,677 47.86% 1,724 49.20% 103 2.94%
1976 1,554 42.48% 2,104 57.52% 0 0.00%
1972 2,207 63.88% 1,248 36.12% 0 0.00%
1968 1,687 46.50% 1,643 45.29% 298 8.21%
1964 1,296 34.16% 2,498 65.84% 0 0.00%
1960 1,930 48.41% 2,057 51.59% 0 0.00%
1956 1,959 49.49% 1,999 50.51% 0 0.00%
1952 1,859 48.29% 1,991 51.71% 0 0.00%
1948 1,592 44.93% 1,944 54.87% 7 0.20%
1944 1,838 45.78% 2,177 54.22% 0 0.00%
1940 1,977 42.18% 2,710 57.82% 0 0.00%
1936 1,800 40.45% 2,637 59.26% 13 0.29%
1932 1,502 37.11% 2,530 62.52% 15 0.37%
1928 1,710 47.09% 1,921 52.91% 0 0.00%
1924 1,462 41.68% 2,037 58.07% 9 0.26%
1920 1,581 46.51% 1,814 53.37% 4 0.12%
1916 888 40.87% 1,276 58.72% 9 0.41%
1912 475 22.75% 1,162 55.65% 451 21.60%

Communities[edit]

Climbing near Ketterman, West Virginia

Towns[edit]

Magisterial districts[edit]

Current[edit]

  • Central
  • Eastern
  • Western

Historic[edit]

  • Bethel
  • Circleville
  • Franklin
  • Mill Run
  • Sugar Grove
  • Union

Census-designated place[edit]

Unincorporated communities[edit]

Historic places[edit]

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
Ananias Pitsenbarger Farm 19th century 3576 Dry Run Road, Franklin Dahmer, near Franklin 2011
Bowers House late 19th century Brandywine-Sugar Grove Road Sugar Grove 1985
Circleville School 1930s 81 Price Way, Circleville 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, and High Street Franklin 1986
McCoy House 1848 17 South Main Street, Franklin Franklin 1982
McCoy Mill early 19th century 293 Thorn Creek Road, Franklin 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

Gallery[edit]

  • Pendleton County Courthouse
    Pendleton County Courthouse
  • Seneca Rocks
    Seneca Rocks
  • Solomon's Chapel, one of the many smaller churches in Pendleton County, West Virginia
    Solomon's Chapel, one of the many smaller churches in Pendleton County, West Virginia
  • Mount Joel Schoolhouse in Simoda West Virginia
    Mount Joel Schoolhouse in Simoda West Virginia

See also[edit]

Footnotes[edit]

  1. ^ At Franklin, flood stage begins at only seven feet.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 18, 2022.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "Early History of Pendleton County". Archived from the original on June 13, 2010. Retrieved January 29, 2013.
  4. ^ "Pendleton County". West Virginia Division of Culture and History. Archived from the original on January 1, 2014. Retrieved August 11, 2015.
  5. ^ "West Virginia: Individual County Chronologies". West Virginia Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2003. Archived from the original on November 20, 2015. 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. "Early History of Pendleton County". Archived from the original on June 13, 2010. Retrieved January 29, 2013.
  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 Fredericksburg Press, Inc, pg 118.
  9. ^ Otis K. Rice & Stephen W. Brown, West Virginia: A History, 2nd ed., University Press of Kentucky, Lexington (1993), p. 240.
  10. ^ United States Census Bureau, U.S. Decennial Census, Tables of Minor Civil Divisions in West Virginia, 1870–2010.
  11. ^ a b West Virginia Gazette: "Remembering the '85 floods" (D. White) 4 Nov 2010
  12. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
  13. ^ "Maple syrup pouring out of West Virginia". West Virginia Press. December 8, 2014. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  14. ^ e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia. (2015). "Sugar Grove Naval Station." e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia. Accessed January 28, 2016.
  15. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021". Retrieved October 18, 2022.
  16. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
  17. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
  18. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
  19. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
  20. ^ a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
  21. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
  22. ^ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
  23. ^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
  24. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 28, 2018.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pendleton County, West Virginia.

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

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