Pocahontas County, West Virginia, History Study Guide: 1894-1970

Quiz

Instructions: Please answer the following short-answer questions in 2-3 sentences each.

1. What athletic event was held at Harman's Sharp's Grove on July 4, 1898?
2. What new industry was Marlinton hoping to attract in 1898?
3. What happened to the home of W. H. Sydenstricker in 1899?
4. What new mode of transportation became available to residents of Pocahontas County in 1905?
5. What kind of business did Paul Golden run in Marlinton in 1909?
6. What happened in the spring of 1912 that caused significant damage in Pocahontas County?
7. According to "The Story of Methodism," what denomination was the first to organize a congregation in Pocahontas County?
8. Besides timber, what other natural resource could be commercially exploited in Pocahontas County, according to Paul H. Price?
9. What kind of business did the Howes Leather Company operate in Durbin?
10. Why was a monument erected to Matthew Arbogast in Hillsboro?

Answer Key

1. Harman Sharp hosted a Fourth of July celebration featuring a platform dance, dancing, swinging, and other amusements.
2. Marlinton was hoping to attract a tannery business.
3. The home of W. H. Sydenstricker and its contents were destroyed by fire.
4. The first automobiles became available to residents of Pocahontas County.
5. Paul Golden ran a dry goods store in Marlinton.
6. The Greenbrier River flooded, causing significant damage in Pocahontas County.
7. According to "The Story of Methodism," the Baptists were the first to organize a congregation in Pocahontas County.
8. Glass-sand was identified by Paul H. Price as a commercially exploitable natural resource in Pocahontas County.
9. The Howes Leather Company operated a tannery in Durbin.
10. A monument was erected to Matthew Arbogast in Hillsboro to commemorate his service in the Civil War, including his participation in the Battle of Droop Mountain.

Essay Questions

1. Based on advertisements, articles, and local news items, describe life in Pocahontas County in the 1890s.
2. How did the arrival of the railroad shape life in Pocahontas County? Consider both the positive and negative effects of the railroad.
3. Using the sources provided, discuss the industries that were most important to Pocahontas County's economy from 1894-1970.
4. How did residents of Pocahontas County experience national and international events? Using specific examples from the sources, discuss how national and international news shaped life in the county.
5. Using the sources provided, describe how Pocahontas County changed between 1894 and 1970. What events, individuals, or trends were most impactful during this time period?

Glossary of Key Terms

Arbogast House: A historic dwelling in Green Bank, West Virginia. Built by Benjamin Arbogast, it served as a residence and was likely used as a hospital during the Civil War.

Battle of Droop Mountain: A Civil War battle fought on November 6, 1863, in Pocahontas County. It was a significant Union victory and is commemorated by monuments and historic sites in the area.

Beaver Lick Mountain: A mountain ridge located in Pocahontas County, it is part of the larger Allegheny Mountains region.

Chemung Formation: A geologic formation consisting of sandstone, named after the town of Chemung, New York. It is known for its unique flowage or exfoliation patterns due to pressure.

Confederate Army: The military force of the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War.

Craig House: A historic home in Winterburn, West Virginia. It was the residence of George Craig, a prominent figure in the community.

Durbin Tannery (Howes Leather Company): A tannery located in Durbin, West Virginia. It was once the largest independent tanning company in the United States, specializing in the production of leather using hemlock bark.

Droop Mountain Spring: A natural spring located on Droop Mountain. It is known for its unique mineral content.

Greenbrier River: A major river flowing through Pocahontas County and other parts of West Virginia and Virginia.

Harman's Sharp's Grove: A community gathering place that hosted various events, including a Fourth of July celebration in 1898.

Hillsboro: An unincorporated community located in Pocahontas County.

Huntersville Chert Beds: Geologic formations containing chert, a type of sedimentary rock. These beds were used as surfacing material for roads in the region.

Island Lick Run: A tributary of the Greenbrier River located in Pocahontas County.

"Kissing the Rod": A poem by George Whitfield Riley, featured in a 1909 edition of the Pocahontas Times.

Knapps Creek: A tributary of the Greenbrier River located in Pocahontas County.

Levels: Elevation markers used in surveying to determine the height of a point above sea level.

Marcellus Shale: A black shale geologic formation. In some areas, it contains large quantities of natural gas.

Marlinton: The county seat of Pocahontas County.

McClintic, George: A prominent lawyer and prosecuting attorney for Pocahontas County.

McNeel Family: One of the pioneer families who settled in the area that is now Pocahontas County. John McNeel, considered the family patriarch, is buried near Hillsboro.

Methodists: Members of a Protestant denomination of Christian faith.

National Woolen Mills: A textile mill located in Marlinton. They specialized in using local wool to create high-quality woolen products.

Oriskany Formation: A geologic formation consisting primarily of sandstone. It is known for its iron ore deposits and is a significant target for mineral prospecting.

Pasteurized: A short story published in serial format in the Pocahontas Times.

Paul Golden: A prominent Marlinton businessman who owned a dry goods store in the early 20th century.

"The Silent Millions": An open letter to Vietnam War servicemen from “The Observer.”

Slate Fork: A tributary of the Greenbrier River.

Smith & Hamilton: A business in Marlinton that sold fresh meats and produce.

Thorny Flat Knob: The highest point in Pocahontas County, reaching an elevation of 4,812 feet.

Union Army: The military force of the United States of America during the American Civil War.

Upper Devonian: A geologic time period, part of the Paleozoic Era. Rocks from this period are found in Pocahontas County.