West Virginia's early history from
1609 until 1863 is largely shared with Virginia, of
which it was a part until Virginia seceded from the
Union in 1861. The delegates of the 40 western
counties who opposed secession formed their own
government, which was granted statehood in 1863.
In 1731 Morgan Morgan established the first
permanent white settlement on Mill Creek in
present-day Berkeley County. Coal, a mineral asset
that would figure significantly in West Virginia's
history, was discovered in 1742. Other important
natural resources are oil, natural gas, and hardwood
forests, which cover about 75% of the state's area.
The state's rapid industrial expansion began in the
1870s, drawing thousands of European immigrants and
African Americans into the region. Miners' strikes
between 1912 and 1921 required the intervention of
state and federal troops to quell the violence.
Today, the state ranks second in total coal
production, with about 15% of the U.S. total. It is
also a leader in steel, glass, aluminum, and
chemical manufactures. Major agricultural
commodities are poultry and eggs, dairy products,
and apples.
Tourism is increasingly popular in mountainous West
Virginia. More than a million acres have been set
aside in 37 state parks and recreation areas and in
9 state forests and 2 national forests. Major points
of interest include Harpers Ferry and New River
Gorge National River, The Greenbrier and Berkeley
Springs resorts, the scenic railroad at Cass, and
the historic homes in the Eastern Panhandle. |
