Grafton, West Virginia

The county seat of Taylor County, Grafton, WV (map), was originally chartered in 1858, and named in honor of John Grafton, a civil engineer in the employment of Colonel Benjamin Latrobe, who laid out the route of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in 1852 across what was then Northwestern Virginia. Weather: Grafton, WV Lodging: Grafton, WV Hotels Grafton, WV Grafton, WV is located about 15 miles north of Philippi, WV; 20 miles from Fairmont, WV; and about 20 miles from Clarksburg, WV. Grafton is the location of a monument to Bailey Brown, the first Union soldier killed in the Civil War, and the Grafton National Cemetary, established in 1867, one of two national cemeteries in West Virginia. The West Virginia National Cemetery, dedicated in 1987, is located about 5 miles west of Grafton. The Arts Taylor County Arts Council Attractions Grafton's 150th Birthday Celebration (May 26-29, 2006) Parks Tygart Lake State Park Valley Falls State Park Historic Districts Grafton Downtown Commerical Historic District Libraries Taylor County Public Library Media Newspapers Mountain Statesman Radio Station WTBZ (AM 1260) : WDKL (FM 95.9) Schools Public Schools Taylor County Schools

Maps Map of Grafton, WV showing streets and highways, and nearby airports, parks, hospitals, buildings, churches, cemeteries, trails and more; with link to driving directions. Topo map of Grafton, WV and vicinity Grafton, WV - 1889 Census Data Population: 5,489 (2000 Census) Geodata Elevation: 1100 feet Longitude: -80.0192 Latitude: 39.3408

Development of Grafton, WV

Grafton, WV is one of many communities in West Virginia that owes its origin and prosperity to the railroad. In 1853, the town's population was only 153, but by 1900, the town's population had swelled to 5,260, primarily due to the ever expanding number of jobs provided by the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad and its large shop and foundry complex. Located at a scenic spot along the rail line from Baltimore, the town appeared destined to become a major population center within the region, but the industrial and economic diversity needed to sustain growth never materialized. The town remained primarily a railroad town through its period of development. The story of the Development of Grafton, WV continues as separate article.

Grafton Hotel - 1857

Variant Name(s) for Grafton, WV

Gannett, Grafton Junction, Three Forks, Three Forks Creek