The Name of the New Town Proposed in 1891

 

 

The Name of the New Town Proposed in 1891

The new town proposed in Pocahontas County in 1891 was Marlinton, which was to be located at a place called “Marlin’s Bottom” on the east bank of the Greenbrier River.

As we have previously discussed, a group of Pocahontas County residents petitioned the county court in 1891, requesting that a special election be held to determine whether or not to move the county seat from Huntersville to Marlinton. This election was to be held on December 8th, 1891.

The Pocahontas Development Company, which proposed the construction of Marlinton, offered to give the county court 2.5 acres of land and $5,000 to build a new courthouse and jail if voters decided to relocate the county seat.

A handbook of Marlinton was published in October 1891, showcasing the town’s resources and amenities.

However, according to an article in The Pocahontas Times, Marlinton did not exist as of September 24th, 1891. While the town had been surveyed and lots were for sale, no railroads had been constructed in Pocahontas County. The town was intended to be built at the junction of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad and the West Virginia & Pittsburg Railroad once those lines were constructed, but “not a mile” of track had been laid as of September 1891.

It is worth noting that the sources do not state whether the December 8th election was held, nor do they indicate the result of that election.

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