Logan, West Virginia
From West Virginia (WV) Cyclopedia
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The county seat of Logan County, Logan, WV was laid out in 1827. The town was first known as Lawnville. Originally chartered by the Virginia Assembly in 1852 as Aracoma, after the daughter of Cornstalk, a Shawnee Chief. Aracoma is often referred to as "Princess Aracoma," a misnomer, as there is no such thing as an Indian princess (http://www.allthingscherokee.com/atc_sub_gene_feat_020101.html). According to local tradition, Aracoma was buried in Logan County, after being mortally wounded in a battle between white settler and her band of Native Americans. The town's name was changed to Logan in 1907, being named after the Indian leader, Chief Logan, who tradition claims once roamed the hills and valleys of this section of the state.
Elevation: 680 feet
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Topo Map (http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=37.8486&lon=-81.9936) of Logan, WV Photos
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Variant Name(s) for Logan, WV
Aracoma (1), Arracoina, Arracoma, Lawnsville, Logan Court House, Logan Courthouse, Logantown
(1) Thomas Dunn English (http://www.wvu.edu/~lawfac/jelkins/lp-2001/english.html), a physician, lawyer, poet, playwright, novelist, journalist, and politician, originally from Philadelphia, who lived in Logan County from 1852 until 1857, is said to have suggested the name Aracoma for Logan Counthouse when the town was incorporated. English, who was involved in the early timber and coal mining operations in Logan during the 1850's, wrote the song Ben Bolt. English supposedly developed an interest in the Indian history and legends of Southern West Virginia while living in the area.
