Ritchie County / Wirt County
N 39° 07.858 W 081° 17.961
17S E 474126 N 4331352
A two sided sign telling about the formation of the two counties.
Waymark Code: WMGBRK
Location: West Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 02/11/2013
Views: 4
Ritchie County
Formed in 1943 from Lewis, Harrison and Wood. Named for Thomas Ritchie, Virginia journalist. In 1772, Elias and Jesse Hughes and Colonel William Lowther explored this region to the Ohio. Hughes River was named by them.
Wirt County
Formed, 1848m from Wood and Jackson. Named for William Wirt, who was prominent in the prosecution of Aaron Burr. Development of the Burning Springs oil fields started in 1859, year of the Titusville, Pennsylvania oil boom.
Marker Number: none
Marker Title: Ritchie County / Wirt County
Marker Location: On south side of Rt 47.
County or Independent City: Ritchie County / Wirt County line
Web Site: [Web Link]
Marker Program Sponsor: West Virginia Historic Commission, 1964
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