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59-536: The Stealey–Goff–Vance House , also known as the Amy Roberts Vance House, is a historic home located at Clarksburg , Harrison County, West Virginia . It was originally built about 1807, and is a gable roofed two-story brick dwelling. It sits on a high coursed rubble foundation. The house was remodeled about 1891, with the addition of Victorian embellishment. These modifications include the front gable, porch, and ornate cornice millwork . The house

118-462: A U.S. senator from West Virginia. Clarksburg's citizenry also reflected this divide. Union General McClellan established his headquarters near Clarksburg until the First Battle of Bull Run . The B&O line made Clarksburg an important Union supply base throughout the war, with at one point more than 7000 troops in the city. It became a target of Confederate raiders, but none actually reached

177-571: A connection to the window-glass industry, and the people speaking French often were Walloons , or French-speaking Belgians . About 1900, changes in window-glass manufacture brought thousands of immigrants from the Charleroi area of Belgium just when the industry was expanding into West Virginia to take advantage of cheap natural gas and large deposits of silica sand. For a generation, window-glass factories, many of which were worker-owned cooperatives, relied heavily on these Belgian immigrants to provide

236-500: A representative of an international terrorist group. In 1998 Looker was sentenced to 18 years in prison. Two other defendants were sentenced on explosives charges, and the firefighter drew a year in prison for providing blueprints. Clarksburg is located at 39°16′50″N 80°20′40″W  /  39.28056°N 80.34444°W  / 39.28056; -80.34444 , along the West Fork River and Elk Creek . According to

295-604: A seven-story headquarters in 1907. Other significant buildings include the Goff Building (1911), Municipal Building (1888), the Waldo Hotel (1901–1904), Robinson Grand (1912, 1940), Harrison County Courthouse (1931–1932), U.S. Post Office (1932), Masonic Temple (1911–1914), First United Presbyterian Church (1894), and First Methodist Church (1909, 1956). An automobile had reached Clarksburg in 1902, and that technology fostered further development. In 1928, U.S. Route 50

354-522: Is a city in and the county seat of Harrison County, West Virginia , United States, in the north-central region of the state. The population of the city was 16,039 at the 2020 census , making it the tenth-most populous city in West Virginia. It is the principal city of the Clarksburg micropolitan area , which had a population of 90,434 in 2020. Clarksburg was named National Small City of

413-523: Is minimal anyway by the considerable distance from the coast. At the same time it can be classified as Cfa or hybrid of different climatic zones according to the criterion to be surveyed, a situation similar to that of Boston . It is the Dfb boundary throughout the northern hemisphere if it is to be disregarded in elevated regions on all continents. The southern record could appear on the Korean peninsula but

472-403: Is now located. By 1774, people settling near present Clarksburg included: Daniel Davisson, Obadiah Davisson (Daniel's father), Amaziah Davisson (Daniel's uncle), Thomas, John, and Matthew Nutter, Samuel and Andrew Cottrill (brothers), Sotha Hickman, and Samuel Beard. Undoubtedly, others located on these public lands, of which no official records were made. The Virginia General Assembly authorized

531-471: The 1884 election , though he lost narrowly to Emanuel Willis Wilson . In 1887, Clarksburg laid its first six miles of water lines; downtown streets were lit by electricity in 1889. Nonetheless, in the late 1890s, a visitor called Clarksburg a "sleepy, moss-covered town." Clarksburg's boom years began around the turn of the century, as coal and glass production increased. The population grew from 4,050 in 1900 to 27,869 in 1920, partly because in 1917 it annexed

590-711: The Federal Bureau of Investigation completed construction on its Criminal Justice Information Services Division complex in Clarksburg. The $ 200 million complex, located on 986 acres, is the national repository for the FBI's law enforcement records. The project came about through the efforts of Senator Robert C. Byrd . In 1990, in Byrd's second year as head of the Senate Appropriations Committee,

649-808: The Northwestern Turnpike to be built. While the toll road increased development around Clarksburg in the 1830s, it also used a relatively anachronistic model. Nonetheless, the Randolph Academy was razed and replaced by the Northwestern Academy in 1841, a year after stage coach service began between Clarksburg and Parkersburg on the Ohio River. Clarksburg's development increased more a decade later due to new technology and further subscriptions. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad reached Clarksburg from Grafton in 1856. Two of

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708-763: The Tygart River in Grafton (1916–60) that largely produced wide-mouth canning jars, and the world's largest tumbler factory in Clarksburg (1902–87). By 1920, the Clarksburg factory had 15 acres of floor space, employed 1,200 people, and shipped all over the world. The company's metal factories in Wheeling made lids and closures for glass containers. The Rolland Glass Plant was a glass manufacturing company founded in 1921 by Albert Rolland in Clarksburg, West Virginia. The company specialized in producing high-quality tableware and stemware, and its products were sold throughout

767-576: The United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 9.74 square miles (25.23 km ), all land. Clarksburg is located in West Virginia's North-Central region. It lies within the ecoregion of the Western Allegheny Plateau . Clarksburg is located at the junction of U.S. 50 and U.S. 19, two miles west of the junction of U.S. 50 with Interstate 79. The city lies at an elevation of 1,007 feet at

826-722: The West Fork Little Kanawha River , Spring Creek , Reedy Creek , and the Hughes River (its largest tributary) in Wirt County; and Walker Creek , Tygart Creek , Slate Creek and Worthington Creek in Wood County. Additionally, a minor tributary near Grantsville is known as the Bull River; despite being named a "river," it is no larger than dozens of other small streams that flow into

885-794: The 1920s, Clarksburg's Melville Davisson Post (1869–1930) may have been the country's highest paid author, writing 17 novels including the characters of Randolph Mason and Uncle Abner . As the Great Depression began, the Farmers Bank closed in 1929, and the Bank of West Virginia (which had opened in 1869) failed in 1933. Clarksburg's population dropped to 30,579 by 1940, and further as the decade progressed. Former Gov. Gore served as state agricultural commissioner (1931–33) and later as Public Service Commissioner (1941–47). However, Clarksburg managed to avoid urban blight and preserved much of

944-585: The Akro-Agate marble company), and the Jackson (later Phillips) Sheet and Tin Plate Company, the forerunner of Weirton Steel. Economic development brought successive waves of immigrants in the 19th and early 20th centuries, including Irish , Italians , Greeks , French , Belgians , and Spanish . Early 20th century Clarksburg boasted eight banks, three hospitals, and several fine hotels, including

1003-646: The Belgian glass factories were struggling in the 1880s and 1890s. Equally important, workers had limited opportunities to voice their concerns either politically or economically. Belgian glassworkers found in the United States an effective trade union to represent their workplace concerns and the means to build a vibrant political movement advocating democratic socialism. In fact, some of these Belgian enclaves, including Star City near Morgantown and Adamston (now part of Clarksburg), elected Socialist mayors in

1062-713: The General Assembly also authorized a road from Winchester, Virginia to Morgantown in 1786, and a branch from this road (which decades later became the Northwestern Turnpike ) would soon begin through Clarksburg toward the Little Kanawha River (which flows into the Ohio River at Parkersburg ). In 1787, the Virginia General Assembly authorized the Randolph Academy at Clarksburg, a private school led by Rev. George Towers and

1121-937: The Ohio River in Parkersburg . About 3 mi (5 km) upstream of Burnsville, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dam causes the river to form Burnsville Lake , which was completed in 1976 at a cost of $ 56.2 million. Along its course the Little Kanawha River collects the Right Fork Little Kanawha River on the boundary of Lewis and Braxton counties; Saltlick Creek , England Run and Oil Creek in Braxton County; Sand Fork , Cedar Creek and Leading Creek in Gilmer County; Steer Creek in Calhoun County;

1180-557: The United States. The Rolland Glass Plant was a major employer in Clarksburg, and it played an important role in the city's economy. At its peak, the plant employed over 1,000 workers. However, the company began to struggle in the late 1960s due to increased foreign competition and rising production costs. In 1970, the Rolland Glass Plant was acquired by the Fourco Glass Company, which continued to operate

1239-580: The Year in 2011 by the National League of Cities. Indigenous peoples have lived in the area for thousands of years. The Oak Mounds outside Clarksburg were created by the Hopewell culture mound builders between A.D. 1 and 1000 The first known European visitor to the area that later became Clarksburg was John Simpson , a trapper , who in 1764 located his camp on the West Fork River opposite

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1298-428: The age of 18 living with them, 38.0% were married couples living together, 14.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.1% were non-families. 35.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.91. The median age in

1357-421: The age of 18 living with them, 41.6% were married couples living together, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.2% were non-families. 36.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.87. In the city, the population was spread out, with 21.1% under

1416-460: The age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 20.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.6 males. The median income for a household in the city was $ 27,722, and the median income for a family was $ 35,075. Males had a median income of $ 30,194 versus $ 22,388 for females. The per capita income for

1475-572: The architecture it had gained during the "boom years". It is now West Virginia's tenth largest city. The West Virginia Preservation Alliance, the state's first, was created in Clarksburg in 1981. On October 11, 1996, seven men having connections with the Mountaineer Militia , a local anti-government paramilitary group, were arrested on charges of plotting to blow up the Federal Bureau of Investigation 's Criminal Justice Information Services Division complex in Clarksburg. While members of

1534-482: The city was $ 17,587. About 14.8% of families and 19.8% of the population were below the poverty line , including 28.5% of those under age 18 and 11.9% of those age 65 or over. During the first decade of the 20th century, French was frequently spoken on the West Virginia streets of such communities as South Charleston , the North View section of Clarksburg, and the small town of Salem . These neighborhoods shared

1593-404: The city was 39.5 years. 21.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.8% were from 25 to 44; 27.1% were from 45 to 64; and 16.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.0% male and 52.0% female. As of the census of 2000, there were 16,743 people, 7,447 households, and 4,378 families residing in the city. The population density

1652-623: The city's first trolley opened for business (it would cease operating in 1947). Merchants Smith, Brown and Company built an early department store beginning in 1890. The Northwestern Academy was razed in 1894 and the Towers School erected (which became the city's high school). Merchants National Bank built a building in 1894 which later became the Community Bank. Clarksburg's oldest bank, the Empire National Bank, built

1711-617: The city, instead striking surrounding areas with fewer defenders. The closest, most famous (and materially successful) raid, the Jones-Imboden Raid of April and May 1863, was designed to impede recognition of West Virginia (which became the 35th state of the Union anyway in June 1863). The influx of Union troops and the increased demand for goods and services stimulated the city's economy. Many new businesses were established to cater to

1770-477: The city. The population density was 1,702.1 inhabitants per square mile (657.2/km ). There were 8,132 housing units at an average density of 834.9 per square mile (322.4/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 92.9% White , 3.9% African American , 0.2% Native American , 0.3% Asian , 0.3% from other races , and 2.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.6% of the population. There were 7,213 households, of which 28.5% had children under

1829-618: The construction in the 1970s of Interstate 79 and the new four-lane U.S. 50 Appalachian Corridor D connecting I-79 to I-77, but plant closings in the 1980s had a negative impact. New expansion in the government and technology sectors began in the 1990s, including the relocation of the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services Center to Clarksburg and construction of a new federal building and a new building to house Fairmont State University's Clarksburg branch. The Akro Agate Company of Clarksburg

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1888-459: The convention. Though he had been a strong advocate for statehood for West Virginia he later opposed the bill in the senate. Wilson had abstained in the April 17 vote on Virginia's secession ordinance, but signed the ordinance later in April. He was arrested by Union forces in June and later released. In 1862 he named his son after Stonewall Jackson, who had been born in Clarksburg. Wilson later became

1947-633: The dry season defined version ( Dwb ) predominates in these locations. The average temperature is 52.2 °F (11.2 °C) with a high average of 63.3 °F (17.4 °C) and a low average of 41.1 °F (5.1 °C). It has 45.6 inches (1,160 mm) of rain with peak in May (4.8 inches or 122 mm) and lower value in February with 3.2 inches (81 mm). The amount of total snow is 25 inches (64 cm), with highest values between January and February, 8 inches (20 cm) in total for each month. Since

2006-468: The elegant seven-story Waldo, which opened in 1909. The seven-story Empire Bank building went up in 1907, the nine-story Goff Building in 1911, and the 10-story Union Bank in 1912. By 1929, Clarksburg had reached its peak population of 35,115. During the Depression the city lost industry and population, but during World War II the railroad again made it a central clearinghouse. New development came with

2065-740: The end of the 1920s, a few large corporations dominated the industry and machines replaced most of the skilled craftsmen. One exception, window-glass cutters, continued to provide opportunities to a new generation of Belgian-Americans. More than 70 years later, the Belgian-American Heritage Society keeps alive the history and culture of this fascinating ethnic group. The availability of natural resources, coupled with easy access to railroad facilities, attracted industry and manufacturing to Clarksburg, including chemical plants, brickworks, potteries, foundries and machine shops, hardwood and casket companies, glass factories (including

2124-845: The first Harrison County courthouse began in Clarksburg in 1787. That building was followed by four increasingly larger courthouses; the most recent one completed in 1932. The first Court House stood on what is now the North East Corner of Second and Main Streets; the jail stood on the opposite side of Main Street near where the Presbyterian church now stands. Relatively poor transportation slowed northwestern Virginia's development, so subscribers in Winchester, Romney , Kingwood , Clarksburg, Parkersburg and other towns en route caused

2183-562: The first west of the Alleghenies. However, although many here as the 19th century began wanted the National Road westward to follow McCulloch's Path (improvements beginning after the Northwestern Turnpike company's formal incorporation by the Virginia General Assembly in 1827), Congress instead authorized construction on an easier route ( Nemacolin's Path ) through Maryland and Wheeling , which opened in 1818. Construction of

2242-508: The glassmaking giant in a state known for glass production, was created in 1902 by the merger of four earlier companies. The largest glass company in the United States from the 1930s until the 1950s, Hazel Atlas was a major producer of inexpensive ‘‘ depression glass’’ table sets of pink, green, blue, colorless, and black glass. Hundreds of thousands of glass premiums given away in oats, coffee, and other products were made by Hazel Atlas. Hazel Atlas glass plants in West Virginia included one along

2301-447: The group had been assembling large quantities of explosives and blasting caps, militia leader Floyd Raymond Looker obtained blueprints of the FBI facility from a Clarksburg firefighter. Plastic explosives were confiscated by law enforcement officials at five locations in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. Looker was taken into custody after arranging to sell the blueprints for $ 50,000 to an undercover FBI agent, whom he believed to be

2360-528: The immediate vicinity it is Dfa . The city still suffers strong influences from the south, especially from the Gulf of Mexico but due to its location has a much more significant influence of the cold air intrusion of Canada , where it is not protected by the Appalachians . The extent further to the south is due to the eastern and southeastern mountain ranges blocking the oceanic influence in part, even if it

2419-558: The junction of Elk Creek and the West Fork River of the Monongahela River . Clarksburg had a humid continental climate if one considers the 0 °C isotherm. The latest temperature numbers have the climate as humid subtropical ( Cfa ). To the molds of Köppen the climate may be considered the southern boundary of the Dfb zone at low altitudes in the North American continent (limit of 39 ° N), although in

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2478-811: The majority of the collection), and added to the National Register in 1978. During the Virginia Secession Convention of 1861 , Harrison county had two delegates, John S. Carlile and Benjamin Wilson . Carlile became a leader of the Wheeling Convention which led to creation of the Restored Government of Virginia during the American Civil War . Carlile was appointed to the U.S. Senate by

2537-579: The modern city's historic buildings date from this prewar era. The Stealey-Goff-Vance House , now owned by the Harrison County Historical Society, was originally constructed in 1807, expanded in 1891 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. Waldomore was built beginning in 1839, served as the Clarksburg Public Library from 1931 to 1976 (when a new building was built next door for

2596-402: The mouth of Elk Creek at approximately 39°16′53″N 80°21′05″W  /  39.28128°N 80.35145°W  / 39.28128; -80.35145 (39.28128, -80.35145) As early as 1772, settlers began claiming lands near where Clarksburg now stands, and building cabins. In 1773, Major Daniel Davisson (1748–1819) took up 400 acres (1.6 km ), upon which the principal part of the town

2655-439: The needs of the military, and existing businesses experienced a boom in trade. The war also heightened political tensions in the city, as residents debated the issues of slavery and secession. In 1877, Clarksburg became one of three cities from which West Virginia voters would select their new state capital. Despite its relatively central location and an early lead, it came in second; Charleston, West Virginia became and remains

2714-650: The plant until 1979. The plant was then sold to the Hordus Glass Company, which operated it until 1985. The plant was closed permanently in 1985, and the buildings were demolished in 1987. Today, the site of the Rolland Glass Plant is occupied by the Rolland Glass Museum, which is dedicated to preserving the history of the company and the glass industry in Clarksburg. The museum houses a collection of Rolland Glass products, as well as photographs, documents, and other artifacts. In July 1995,

2773-405: The population. There were 6,588 households, of which 37.4% were married couples living together, 35.2% had a female householder with no spouse present, 20.4% had a male householder with no spouse present.The average household and family size was 3.3. The median age in the city was 39.7 years. As of the census of 2010, there were 16,578 people, 7,213 households, and 4,179 families residing in

2832-594: The previously independent surrounding communities of Adamston, Stealey, North View and Broad Oaks. The population may have reached 35,000 in 1929, before the Great Depression . In 1894, the Traders' Hotel was constructed, the grandest structure to date. Many buildings in the Clarksburg Downtown Historic District date from that era. In 1900, the first sewer lines were installed, and Main and Pike streets were paved with brick. In 1901,

2891-563: The season of snowfall goes from November to March. Record temperatures range from −24 °F (−31 °C) on January 19, 1994 , up to 102 °F (39 °C) as recently as September 3 and 4, 1953. As of the 2020 census , there were 16,061 people and 6,588 households residing in the city. There were 8,129 housing units in Clarksburg. The racial makeup of the city was 88% White , 3.9% African American , 0.5% Asian , 0.2% Native American , 0.9% from other races , and 6.4% from two or more races . Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 3% of

2950-570: The senator worked to fund the center and get it built in West Virginia, not Washington. Little Kanawha River The Little Kanawha rises in southern Upshur County , approximately 20 mi (32 km) south of Buckhannon . It follows a meandering course generally west-northwestwardly, through Lewis , Braxton , Gilmer , Calhoun , Wirt and Wood Counties, past the communities of Burnsville , Stouts Mills , Sand Fork , Glenville , Grantsville , Bigbend , Creston , Burning Springs , Palestine , Elizabeth , and Newark , to its mouth at

3009-606: The skills necessary to make West Virginia a national center of production. West Virginia's Belgians came from an area economically similar to West Virginia. The Charleroi basin of the Hainaut province in Belgium was dependent upon coal mining, steel production, and window-glass manufacturing. The Belgians’ new homes in north-central West Virginia and the Kanawha Valley must have felt familiar. They left Europe because

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3068-536: The state capital. Around that time Clarksburg gained some industry and manufacturing, particularly involving glass and coal. The city grew slowly but steadily, and services increased apace. The still-functional Despard Building was built in 1870. Telephone service, the first in the state, began in Clarksburg in the mid-1880s. Native son Edwin Maxwell was the Republican nominee for Governor of West Virginia in

3127-703: The town of Clarksburg in 1785. Now a city, it is named for General George Rogers Clark , a Virginian who conducted many expeditions against the British and Indians during the Indian Wars and the war of the American Revolution , including the strategically critical capture of the Forts of Vincennes , now in the State of Indiana , in 1778. As now-President George Washington had proposed years earlier,

3186-426: The years before World War I . Aside from politics, Belgian ethnic communities also became famous for the cuisine, musical groups, social clubs, and celebrations composing the unique Belgian cultural heritage. The technological changes that had made skilled Belgian workers so valuable, however, soon gave way to newer technologies that turned window-glass manufacture from a skilled craft to a mass-production industry. By

3245-467: Was 1,758.3 inhabitants per square mile (678.9/km ). There were 8,662 housing units at an average density of 909.7 per square mile (351.2/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 93.86% White , 3.83% African American , 0.13% Native American , 0.36% Asian , 0.05% Pacific Islander , 0.44% from other races , and 1.34% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino were 1.06% of the population. There were 7,447 households, out of which 25.0% had children under

3304-483: Was a world leader in manufacturing glass marbles . Organized in Akron, Ohio , in 1911 the firm relocated to Clarksburg in 1914 because of the availability of glass sand and cheap natural gas for fuel. The Chinese checkers craze of the 1930s and ’40s helped make the marbles very profitable, with more than 2,000,000 made per week. Beginning in the 1930s a line of pressed glass vases, floral ware, and colorful glass containers

3363-459: Was paved through Clarksburg. U.S. Interstate 79 would open in 1979 and connect Clarksburg with Charleston as well as Pennsylvania. In 1924, Clarksburg hosted a parade for its "native son", John W. Davis , who had become the "dark horse" Democratic presidential candidate (but lost) to Republican incumbent Calvin Coolidge . The following year, Republican and former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Howard M. Gore , became Governor of West Virginia. During

3422-513: Was produced. Miniature glass children’s dishes, including tea pots, cups, saucers, and other pieces, were sold as inexpensively boxed sets when World War II limited the availability of metal for toys. The marbles and multicolored pressed articles in similar hues are sought by collectors today. Pressed products can sometimes be identified by the trademark of the letter A with a crow flying through it. The firm, located off South Chestnut Street, ceased production in 1951. Hazel-Atlas Glass Company ,

3481-437: Was purchased in 1933 by Amy Roberts Vance, mother of Cyrus Vance . In 1967, the property was sold to the Harrison County Historical Society. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. This article about a property in Harrison County, West Virginia on the National Register of Historic Places is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Clarksburg, West Virginia Clarksburg

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