Parkersburg, West Virginia

The county seat of Wood County, Parkersburg, WV was originally chartered in 1820, and named for Alexander Parker, whose daughter, after his death, donated the land for the site of the count house and county building in Wood County. Formerly known as Newport, the town's name was changed to Parkersburg in 1810. Parkersburg is located along the Ohio River and is an important center for lodging, industry, and commerce and is among the largest cities in West Virginia. Parkersburg, WV Parkersburg, WV is located about: 5 miles south of Vienna, WV; 42 miles north of Ripley, WV; 50 miles northeast of Point Pleasant, WV; 52 miles southeast of New Martinsville, WV Airports Wood County Airport: Map of heliports and airports Lodging Parkersburg, WV, Hotels: Find nearby hotels and make online reservations Weather Parkersburg, WV: Current conditions, forecasts, weather alerts, and more     Map of Parkersburg and Vicinity View a larger version of this map (best viewed full-screen) with links to driving directions and additional mapping options. Attractions Historic Districts Avery Street Historic District Blennerhassett Island Historic District Julia-Ann Square Historic District Parks Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge Howes State Park (located in Ohio) Blennerhassett Hotel Market Street Buildings Oil & Gas Museum Media Radio Stations WPAR radio, the first radio station in Parkersbug, began broadcasting in 1935. WADC (AM 1050, Oldies) : WVNT (AM 1230, News/Talk) : WHNK (AM 1450, Country) : WVPG (FM 90.3, NPR) : WXIL (FM 95.1, Contemporary) : WGGE (FM 99.1, Country) : WHBR (FM 103.1, Alternative) : Television (TV) Stations WTAP-TV, the first television station in Parkersburg, went on the air in 1953. WTAP (TV 15, NBC) : WTAP (DT 49, NBC) Newspapers Parkersburg News/Sentinel Libraries Parkersburg - Wood County Public Library Schools Parkersburg Community College was the first comprehensive community college opened in the state, established in 1971. Public Schools Wood County Schools

Maps Map of Parkersburg, WV showing streets, airports, parks, buildings, churches, cemeteries, trails and other points of interest, with link to driving directions. Top map of Parkersburg, WV, and vicinity Census Data Population: 33,099 (2000 Census) Geo Data Elevation: 649 feet Longitude: -81.5617 Latitude: 39.2667

Founding of Parkersburg, WV

A brief outline of the events that lead to the founding of Parkersburg.

Development of Parkersburg, WV

The construction of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad (B&O) line from Grafton to the Ohio River at Parkersburg was begun in Dec. 1852, being completed to Parkersburg May 1, 1857. The advent of the railroad facilited the industrial and economic growth of Parkersburg well into the Twentieth Century.

By 1870 there were seven oil refineries, producing 2500 barrels of oil per week, located in the Parkersburg area. In addition, there were large saw mills; planing mills; a sach, implement and wooden area factory; one steam barrel factory; several large cooper shops; three foundries; two machine shops and the large repair shops of the B&O Railroad; several cigar and tobacco factories; two potteries; one steamboat yard; and a gas factory.

Variant Name(s) for Parkersburg, WV

Neals Landing, Neals Station, Newport, Parkersburgh, Stokelyville, The Point