Contact: Stan Bumgardner bumgardner@wvhumanities.org
304-346-8500
June 21, 2023
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.
June 28, 1936: Athlete Chuck Howley was born in Wheeling. Howley played linebacker for 12 seasons for the Dallas Cowboys. He was an All-Pro six times and named to six Pro Bowls.
June 28, 2010: Robert C. Byrd died at the age of 92. He was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1958, and he served until his death.
June 29, 1845: George W. Atkinson was born in Charleston. In 1896, Atkinson was elected governor in an upset victory over Cornelius C. Watts of Charleston, ending 26 years of Democratic rule.
June 29, 1952: Writer Breece D’J Pancake was born in South Charleston and grew up in Milton, Cabell County. Many of Pancake’s stories are set in Milton, fictionalized as “Rock Camp.”
June 29, 2012: A violent storm called a derecho raced across West Virginia, leaving downed trees and damaged homes in its wake. About 688,000 homes and businesses lost power for a week during a widespread heat wave.
June 30, 1914: Statewide prohibition of alcohol sales became law years before it was enacted for the whole nation.
June 30, 1929: The Wheeling Symphony Orchestra gave its first concert at Oglebay Park.
June 30, 1944: Harpers Ferry National Historical Park was authorized as a national monument, the first in West Virginia.
July 1, 1861: Francis Pierpont, governor of the Reorganized Government of Virginia, called the legislature into session. The general assembly re-established governmental functions, provided for the raising of military units, and elected new U.S. senators and representatives.
July 1, 1937: Watoga State Park was opened to the public. The Pocahontas County park is the largest of the state parks and among the oldest.
July 1, 1971: Southern West Virginia Community College was formed by joining the Marshall University branch campuses at Logan and Williamson. In 1995, the name changed to Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College.
July 2, 1829: Potter and businessman Alexander Polk Donaghho was born. He began a pottery operation in Parkersburg, creating hand-thrown, salt-glazed crocks, jars and other pottery that are avidly collected today.
July 3, 1863: At Gettysburg, Union troops in the 1st West Virginia Cavalry took part in a fruitless charge against Confederate infantrymen during the waning moments of that historic battle.
July 4, 1882: The steamboats Scioto and John Lomas collided on the Ohio River as they were returning from holiday excursions. The Scioto sank almost instantly, and 70 people drowned.
July 4, 1918: Poet Muriel Miller Dressler was born in Kanawha County. Her poem “Appalachia,” published in 1970, was her signature piece.
July 4, 1928: West Virginia dedicated Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park. Droop Mountain was one of the most important Civil War battles fought on West Virginia soil.
July 4, 1938: Musician Bill Withers Jr. was born into a miner’s family of 13 children in Slab Fork, Raleigh County. In 1971, he released his first album, Just As I Am, including his first Grammy-winning song, “Ain’t No Sunshine.” In 2015 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
