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. 6, 1923: A methane gas explosion killed 27 men inside the Glen Rogers coal mine in Wyoming County. The mine, which opened in 1921, became one of the state’s largest. A total of 160 fatalities occurred at the mine before it was closed in 1960.
Nov. 7, 1775: The historic Forks-of-Cheat Baptist Church was organized about six miles north of Morgantown near Stewartstown. It is the oldest church with continuous records west of the Alleghenies in West Virginia.
Nov. 8, 1936: “It’s Wheeling Steel,” a half-hour musical variety radio program, debuted over WWVA in Wheeling. An instant success with local audiences, the program was picked up by the Mutual Broadcasting System in January 1939 and proved to be popular nationwide.
Nov. 9, 1874: Matthew Mansfield Neely, the 21st governor of West Virginia, was born near Grove in Doddridge County.
Nov. 9, 1952: The Huntington Museum of Art opened as the 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 whites who blamed them for the killing of two white men. Cornstalk, a Shawnee leader who lived in what is today southeastern Ohio, 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 is one of only three national rivers administered by the National Park Service.
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.
Nov. 11, 1929: The Memorial Arch was dedicated on Armistice Day in Huntington. The arch, which stands at the intersection of 11th Avenue and Memorial Boulevard, pays tribute to Cabell County soldiers who fought in World War I.
e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia is a project of the West Virginia Humanities Council. For more information, contact the West Virginia Humanities Council, 1310 Kanawha Blvd. E., Charleston, WV 25301; (304) 346-8500; or visit e-WV at www.wvencyclopedia.org.