Charleston WV – The following events happened on these dates in West Virginia history.
To read more, go to e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia at www.wvencyclopedia.org.
Nov. 7, 1775: The historic Forks-of-Cheat Baptist Church was organized about six miles
north of Morgantown. It is the oldest church with continuous records west of the Alleghenies in
West Virginia.
Nov. 7, 1943: During World War II, Medal of Honor recipient Herbert J. Thomas Jr. was
killed in the South Pacific. Thomas, who grew up in South Charleston, died by throwing himself
on a grenade, saving his fellow squad members. WVU Medicine’s Thomas J. Memorial Hospital
in South Charleston is named in his honor.
Nov. 8, 1936: “It’s Wheeling Steel,” a half-hour musical variety radio program, debuted
over WWVA in Wheeling. The program was an instant success with local audiences and later
became a nationwide sensation.
Nov. 9, 1874: Matthew Mansfield Neely was born in Doddridge County. He was the 21st
governor of West Virginia.
Nov. 9, 1952: The Huntington Museum of Art opened as Huntington Galleries. The
museum is located on more than 50 acres in the Park Hills section of Huntington.
Nov. 10, 1777: Cornstalk, his son Elinipsico, and the sub-chief Red Hawk were murdered
in captivity by enraged settlers who blamed them for two recent killings. Cornstalk, a Shawnee
leader who lived in what is today southeastern Ohio, had commanded Indian forces at the Battle
of Point Pleasant.
Nov. 10, 1861: A Confederate cavalry force of more than 700 attacked a Union recruit
camp at Guyandotte in Cabell County.
Nov. 10, 1978: The New River Gorge National River was established by Congress. It was
designated a National Park and Preserve in 2020.
Nov. 10, 1979: The last home game was played at Old Mountaineer Field at West
Virginia University. More than 38,000 people attended the game, in which WVU nearly upset
highly ranked Pitt.
Nov. 11, 1922: Jane Taylor Cox George was born in Possum Hollow, Roane County. As
a 4-H leader, she introduced young people to traditional crafts and dance in Kanawha, Putnam,
Mercer, Monroe, and Roane counties, helped oversee the first Mountain State Art & Craft Fair in
1963, and was a longtime contributor to the Vandalia Gathering and other festivals.
Nov. 11, 1929: The Memorial Arch was dedicated on Armistice Day in Huntington. The
Memorial Arch stands at the intersection of 11th Avenue and Memorial Boulevard. The arch
pays tribute to Cabell County soldiers who fought in World War I.
Nov. 12, 1844: Henry Schmulbach was born in Germany. Schmulbach became a leading
businessman in Wheeling, buying Nail City Brewery in 1882 and becoming president of the
German Bank, now WesBanco.
Nov. 13, 1879: Educator Elsie Clapp was born. Under her direction, the community
school at Arthurdale stressed education for real-life situations and revived traditional music to
strengthen reading and writing skills.
