According to collegetoppicks, Gilmer County, West Virginia is located in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains. The county was formed in 1845 from parts of Lewis and Kanawha Counties. It was named after Thomas Walker Gilmer, who served as Governor of Virginia from 1840 to 1841. The county was largely rural and agricultural until the mid-1900s when oil and gas production began to increase. This new industry brought jobs and economic growth to the area, although it also caused environmental damage due to water pollution and deforestation. Throughout the 20th century, Gilmer County experienced population growth as people moved into small towns and cities throughout the area. Today, Gilmer County is home to a variety of industries including oil and gas production, timber harvesting, coal mining, manufacturing, tourism, and recreation. The county has a rich cultural heritage that dates back centuries before its formation. Native American tribes such as the Shawnee lived in what is now Gilmer County for thousands of years before European settlers arrived in the area in the late 1700s. In addition to Native Americans, settlers from Scotland, Ireland, Germany, England and other European countries also made their homes in what is now Gilmer County. Today, there are many historical sites throughout Gilmer County that showcase its rich history including museums dedicated to Native American culture as well as Civil War battlefields. The county also hosts several annual festivals that highlight local music and artisans as well as outdoor activities such as hiking on nearby trails or fishing at one of many local lakes or rivers. Gilmer County, West Virginia is served by three school districts: Gilmer County Schools, Calhoun County Schools, and Braxton County Schools. Each district is responsible for providing public education to the students in their respective areas. Gilmer County Schools is the largest of the three districts with a total enrollment of nearly 3,000 students. The district serves the entire county and operates nine schools including four elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school and two alternative education programs. The district also offers a variety of extracurricular activities such as athletics, music and theatre programs. Calhoun County Schools serves the western part of Gilmer County with an enrollment of approximately 1,500 students. The district operates five schools including two elementary schools, one middle school and one high school as well as an alternative education program. Calhoun County Schools also offers a variety of extracurricular activities including athletics, music and theatre programs. Braxton County Schools serves the eastern part of Gilmer County with an enrollment of approximately 1,200 students. The district operates four schools including two elementary schools, one middle school and one high school as well as an alternative education program. Braxton County Schools also offers a variety of extracurricular activities such as athletics, music and theatre programs. All three districts in Gilmer County offer a wide range of educational opportunities for students from kindergarten through twelfth grade including traditional public schooling as well as private schooling options such as Montessori methods or charter schools located within each county. All three districts are dedicated to providing quality educational experiences for all their students so that each student can reach their fullest potential academically and socially. Check topschoolsoflaw.com for brief history of the state of West Virginia.
Bancroft, West Virginia is a small town located in the Appalachian Mountains. It is situated in the northwestern corner of the state, just south of the Mason-Dixon line and about an hour’s drive from both Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Washington D.C. The town sits at an elevation of 1,500 feet above sea level and covers an […]
West Virginia was admitted to the Union on June 20, 1863 and is located in the Appalachian region of the United States. West Virginia is known for its mountainous terrain and its rich history. It was an important part of the Civil War, with many battles fought within its borders. The state is also home […]
Marshall University was founded in 1837 in Huntington, West Virginia as Marshall Academy. Originally, it was a private subscription school with a single teacher and 12 pupils. In 1858, it became Marshall College and was chartered by the General Assembly of Virginia. The college grew rapidly and by 1863, enrollment had grown to more than […]
Mountain State University (MSU) was founded in 1868 as a small private college in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia. Over the years, the school has grown to become one of the largest and most respected public universities in the region, offering over 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. In its early years, MSU struggled […]
Ohio Valley University (OVU) was established in 1958 as a small, private, Christian college in Vienna, West Virginia. It began as a Bible college with the mission of equipping students to become servant-leaders in their communities. Since then, OVU has grown to become an accredited university offering over 40 academic programs in the liberal arts […]
Salem International University was founded in 1888 by the Salem Educational Association, a group of local businessmen and educators who sought to bring higher education to West Virginia. The university was originally known as Salem College, and its first classes were held in the fall of 1889. The college grew steadily over the years, eventually […]
Shepherd University was founded in 1871 as the Shepherd College. It was established by the citizens of Berkeley and Jefferson counties in West Virginia to provide educational opportunities for their children. The college was dedicated on September 12, 1871, with a student body of 45 students and five faculty members. The first classes began on […]
The University of Charleston was established in 1888 as Barboursville Seminary in Barboursville, West Virginia. It was founded by Reverend J.A.R. Rogers, who saw the need to provide a quality education to the people of the region. The school changed its name to Morris Harvey College in 1901 and moved to Charleston, West Virginia in […]
West Liberty University has a long and rich history of providing quality education to the people of West Virginia and beyond. The university was founded in 1837 as West Liberty Academy, a two-year college that operated out of a single building. In 1890, the school began offering four-year degrees and was officially renamed West Liberty […]
West Virginia State University (WVSU) was founded in 1891 as the West Virginia Colored Institute. During this era, WVSU was the only historically black college and university in West Virginia. The school’s original mission was to provide educational opportunities for African Americans in the state. The school underwent several name changes throughout its history, including […]
West Virginia University (WVU) was established in 1867 as the Agricultural College of West Virginia. It was the first land-grant university in the state and the second such institution created under the Morrill Act of 1862. The college offered courses in agriculture, mechanical arts, and classical studies. In 1891, it was renamed West Virginia University […]
West Virginia University at Parkersburg was established in 1961, when the West Virginia Board of Education authorized the establishment of a branch campus in Parkersburg. The campus opened its doors to students in 1963 with a total of 257 students enrolled. From the outset, the college was focused on providing quality educational opportunities to local […]
West Virginia University Institute of Technology (WVU Tech) was established in 1895 as the Montgomery Preparatory School, a private institution providing preparatory and vocational training. The school was founded by former Confederate Civil War veteran, General Henry Harrison Walker and his wife, Mary Elizabeth Montgomery. The school was originally located in Montgomery, West Virginia and […]
West Virginia Wesleyan College was founded in 1890 by the West Virginia Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. It is located in Buckhannon, West Virginia, and has a rich history of providing quality education to students from all over the country. The college has been accredited since 1895 and is one of the oldest colleges […]
Wheeling Jesuit University was founded in 1954 as the first Catholic college in West Virginia. The school was created from the merger of two smaller Catholic colleges: St. Joseph College and St. John College. It started as a small, private, liberal arts college in the city of Wheeling, WV. In 1968, it became known as […]
Glenville State College has a long and rich history, beginning in 1872 when it was founded as the West Virginia Normal School. The school was established to provide teacher training and education to the people of West Virginia. In 1917, the school’s name was changed to Glenville State Teachers College, and its curriculum expanded to […]
Fairmont State University has a long and distinguished history. It was founded in 1865 as the West Virginia Normal School, making it the first normal school in West Virginia. Its purpose was to train teachers for the newly created public school system in the state. The school changed its name to Fairmont State Teacher’s College […]
Davis and Elkins College was founded in 1904 in Elkins, West Virginia. It was the dream of Senator Stephen Benton Elkins and Henry Gassaway Davis to create a college that would provide educational opportunities for the people of West Virginia. The college opened its doors to students on September 15, 1904 with an enrollment of […]
Concord University is a private liberal arts college located in Athens, West Virginia. Founded in 1872, Concord University has been providing quality education to students for over 140 years. The university was originally founded as the Concord Normal School, a teacher-training school that was dedicated to preparing young men and women for a career in […]
Bluefield State College was founded in 1895 as a historically black college. It was created to provide African Americans with access to higher education and to promote the values of education, tolerance, and respect. Initially, the college offered only two-year associate degrees in liberal arts and sciences. In 1943, Bluefield State College was accredited by […]
Bethany College was founded in 1840 by Alexander Campbell, a Presbyterian minister. It is the oldest degree-granting institution west of the Allegheny Mountains and is located in Bethany, West Virginia. The college was established as an educational center for the Disciples of Christ and has maintained its affiliation to this day. Initially, Bethany College only […]
American Public University System (APUS) was founded in 1991 as a private, for-profit higher education institution, initially offering only online degrees. The university was founded by Major General James “Spider” Marks, USA (Ret.), and Dr. Wallace E. Boston, who served as its first president and CEO. APUS grew rapidly over the next decade and expanded […]
Appalachian Bible College was founded in 1950 with the goal of providing higher education in a Christian setting. The college opened its doors to students from across the Appalachian region, offering associate and bachelor’s degrees in Biblical studies, church ministries, and general education. The college has experienced steady growth since its inception, expanding its academic […]
Alderson-Broaddus College was founded in 1871 as a private college in Philippi, West Virginia. It began with two teachers and 23 students, and was originally named Alderson Academy after its founder, Reverend John Alderson. The school was later renamed Broaddus College after the Reverend Lewis W. Broaddus who assumed leadership of the college in 1882. […]
Overview Surrounded by the Appalachian Mountains, West Virginia is known as The Mountain State. The state’s past was determined by coal mining, poverty and spatial isolation. Today, visitors come to explore historical sites, learn about the region’s music and crafts, or enjoy one of the many outdoor activities available here, including skiing, mountain biking, whitewater […]
