A Walking Tour of Romney, W.Va.

DRAFT - This page is a cooperative effort with the Romney Historic Landmarks Commission - DRAFT

Current Courthouse a Review article by Rob Wolford

1991 photo survey of Romney

Cemeteries - see four listings on main page

Antebellum Romney - article by Rob Wolford

Romney historic maps see listing on main web page

See also timeline below

Timeline:
Note: this is an abbreviated timeline; check web site index for county "Timeline" and page on "Tidbits of History."

1729(?) first settlers enter the South Branch River Valley.
April 15, 1748 (approx.) Lot 18 on the South Branch is surveyed by James Genn; the Grant Book records "Laid off in a Town called Romney." [CRUP-Rice 2:165; 6:6-9]
by 1748 200 persons reside at Pearsall's Flats.
Thursday, Dec. 23, 1762 Gov. Fauquier signs Act establishing the Town of Romney.
Oct-Nov 1770 George Washington's last visit to Hampshire county; he and Dr. James Craik spend night in Romney.
1786 State road from Winchester to Romney.
1796 Post Office established at Romney.
January 30, 1819 The Polemic Society of Romney (later Literary Society of Romney) was organized in the office of Dr. John Temple. M&SHHC p.430
Dec. 12, 1824 first Presbyterian Church dedicated by Dr. William Henry Foote on lots 59 & 60 at corner of High Street and Gravel Lane.
by 1834 the Northwestern Pike reached Romney; by 1838 it reached Parkersburg on the western edge of the state.
1837 New courthouse built in Romney; it survived until 1920.
December 12, 1846 The Virginia Legislature passed an act empowering the Literary Society to "establish at or near the town of Romney, a seminary of learning..."
April 1861 Committee of Safety meets in Romney and begins to prepare for the coming war.
1869 original Methodist Church built on lot 56 in Romney.
Sept. 1, 1884 the B & O Railroad opens 16.29 miles of track from Green Spring (main line of the B & O Railroad) and Romney
1898 Telephone lines completed from Cumberland to Romney and Romney to Capon Bridge.
July 26, 1920 During renovation the east wall of the Courthouse collapses burying a small child, Tom Duncan. The county will finally vote to construct a new Courthouse.
1959 Hampshire Memorial Hospital opens to patients on Center Lane off Depot Street in Romney.
September 2008 The new Hampshire County Judicial Center is dedicated by Gov. Joe Manchin.
May, 2011 the new Hampshire Memorial Hospital at Mountain Top has an open house

A Walking Tour of Romney, W.Va.

DRAFT - This page is a cooperative effort with the Romney Historic Landmarks Commission - DRAFT

Links on Romney history and old images