History of Marlinton

 

 

 Marlinton, West Virginia, is the county seat of Pocahontas County. It is located on the Greenbrier River at the mouth of Knapps Creek. Marlinton is generally considered to be the location of the first white settlement in the Greenbrier Valley.

In 1749, Jacob Marlin and Stephen Sewell became the first non-native settlers west of the Allegheny Mountains, in the Greenbrier Valley. New Englanders Marlin and Sewell built a cabin in what would become Marlinton, but after various religious disputes, Sewell moved into a nearby hollowed-out sycamore tree. In 1751, surveyor John Lewis discovered the pair. Sewell eventually settled on the eastern side of Sewell Mountain, near present-day Rainelle.

Marlin's Bottom, as it was first known, was a small settlement for many years. However, it began to grow in the early 1800s, as two turnpikes, one coming west from Warm Springs and the other connecting Greenbrier and Randolph counties, made a junction there. A covered bridge was built across the river in 1854.

In the late 19th century, Marlinton's growth was further accelerated by the arrival of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway. The railroad built a line up the Greenbrier River in 1900, and Marlinton quickly became a major transportation hub for the region. The town was incorporated in 1900, and by 1910, it had a population of 1,086.

Marlinton continued to grow throughout the 20th century. It was a popular tourist destination, and it also became a center for the timber and coal industries. However, the town's economy declined in the late 20th century, as the timber and coal industries declined.

Today, Marlinton is a small town with a population of about 1,300 people. It is still the county seat of Pocahontas County, and it is a popular destination for outdoor recreation, such as hiking, fishing, and hunting.

Here are some of the notable people who have lived in Marlinton:

• Jacob Marlin, the first non-native settler in the Greenbrier Valley
• Stephen Sewell, Marlin's companion and fellow settler
• John Lewis, the surveyor who discovered Marlin and Sewell
• John T. McGraw, the man who bought land in Marlinton and helped to develop the town
• Cal Price, the author of famous panther stories
• Skip Johnson, the author of wildlife stories

Marlinton is a historic town with a rich history. It is a great place to visit if you are interested in learning about the early days of West Virginia or if you are looking for a place to enjoy the outdoors.