Grafton, West Virginia
Encyclopedia
Grafton is a city in, and county seat
of, Taylor County, West Virginia
, USA. The population was 5,489 at the 2000 census. The only two national cemeteries in West Virginia
are located in Grafton. Mother's Day
was founded in Grafton on May 10, 1908; the city is the home to the International Mother's Day Shrine
. Grafton was one of the first places to observe Memorial Day
in the United States
.
.
The Grafton Downtown Commercial Historic District
was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1984 and the Grafton National Cemetery
was listed in 1982.
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 3.8 square miles (9.8 km²), of which 3.7 square miles (9.5 km²) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.3 km²) (3.16%) is water.
Tygart Lake State Park
is a major nearby tourist attraction.
of 2000, there were 5,489 people, 2,277 households, and 1,448 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,491.1 people per square mile (575.9/km²). There were 2,575 housing units at an average density of 699.5 per square mile (270.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.07% White, 0.84% African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.05% from other races
, and 0.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race comprised 0.67% of the population.
There were 2,277 households out of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.4% were married couples
living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. 33.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.6% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 21.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 87.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $18,981, and the median income for a family was $25,161. Males had a median income of $22,765 versus $16,629 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $9,616. About 26.6% of families and 35.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 51.2% of those under age 18 and 15.7% of those age 65 or over.
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of, Taylor County, West Virginia
Taylor County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 16,089 people, 6,320 households, and 4,487 families residing in the county. The population density was 93 people per square mile . There were 7,125 housing units at an average density of 41 per square mile...
, USA. The population was 5,489 at the 2000 census. The only two national cemeteries in West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
are located in Grafton. Mother's Day
Mother's Day (United States)
In the United States, Mother's Day is an annual holiday celebrated on the second Sunday in May. Mother's Day recognizes mothers, motherhood and maternal bonds in general, as well the positive contributions that they make to society....
was founded in Grafton on May 10, 1908; the city is the home to the International Mother's Day Shrine
International Mother's Day Shrine
Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church, the "mother church" of Mother's Day, was incorporated as the International Mother's Day Shrine on May 15, 1962, as a tribute to all mothers....
. Grafton was one of the first places to observe Memorial Day
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
History
The City of Grafton was chartered in 1856. It is believed to have been named after John Grafton, a civil engineer of the Baltimore and Ohio RailroadBaltimore and Ohio Railroad
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was one of the oldest railroads in the United States and the first common carrier railroad. It came into being mostly because the city of Baltimore wanted to compete with the newly constructed Erie Canal and another canal being proposed by Pennsylvania, which...
.
The Grafton Downtown Commercial Historic District
Grafton Downtown Commercial Historic District
Grafton Downtown Commercial Historic District is a national historic district located at Grafton, Taylor County, West Virginia. It encompasses 72 contributing buildings and two contributing structures. They include the business and commercial core of Grafton. Most of the buildings in the district...
was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1984 and the Grafton National Cemetery
Grafton National Cemetery
Grafton National Cemetery is a United States National Cemetery located in Grafton, Taylor County, West Virginia. It encompasses a total of . Along with West Virginia National Cemetery, it is one of the two national cemeteries in the state of West Virginia, both of which are located in Grafton...
was listed in 1982.
Geography
Grafton is located at 39°20′30"N 80°1′11"W (39.341757, -80.019817), along the Tygart Valley RiverTygart Valley River
The Tygart Valley River — also known as the Tygart River — is a principal tributary of the Monongahela River, approximately long, in east-central West Virginia, USA...
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 3.8 square miles (9.8 km²), of which 3.7 square miles (9.5 km²) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.3 km²) (3.16%) is water.
Tygart Lake State Park
Tygart Lake State Park
Tygart Lake State Park sits on 391 acres along the shores of Tygart Lake in Taylor County near Grafton, West Virginia, United States.-Facilities:* 20-room Tygart Lake Lodge* Lodge restaurant* 2 gift shops* Golfing* 11 cabins...
is a major nearby tourist attraction.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 5,489 people, 2,277 households, and 1,448 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,491.1 people per square mile (575.9/km²). There were 2,575 housing units at an average density of 699.5 per square mile (270.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.07% White, 0.84% African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.05% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race comprised 0.67% of the population.
There were 2,277 households out of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.4% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. 33.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.6% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 21.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 87.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $18,981, and the median income for a family was $25,161. Males had a median income of $22,765 versus $16,629 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $9,616. About 26.6% of families and 35.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 51.2% of those under age 18 and 15.7% of those age 65 or over.
Notable natives
- Clair BeeClair BeeClair Francis Bee was an American basketball coach, who led the team at Long Island University in Brooklyn, New York to undefeated seasons in 1936 and 1939, as well as two National Invitation Tournament titles...
- basketballBasketballBasketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
coach for Long Island UniversityLong Island UniversityLong Island University is a private, coeducational, nonsectarian institution of higher education in the U.S. state of New York.-History:...
& author - Marmaduke H. DentMarmaduke H. DentMarmaduke Herbert Dent was a West Virginia politician and judge....
- justice of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals (born in GranvilleGranville, West VirginiaGranville is a town in Monongalia County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 778 at the 2000 census. It is included in the Morgantown, West Virginia Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Granville is located at ....
, but lived in Grafton most of his life) - Frank GatskiFrank GatskiFrank Gatski was an American football player.Gatski was born on March 18, 1919 in Farmington, West Virginia....
- Pro Football Hall of FamePro Football Hall of FameThe Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame of professional football in the United States with an emphasis on the National Football League . It opened in Canton, Ohio, on September 7, 1963, with 17 charter inductees...
center for the Cleveland BrownsCleveland BrownsThe Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Anna JarvisAnna JarvisAnna Marie Jarvis is the founder of the Mother's Day holiday in the United States.-Biography:...
- founder of Mother's Day - Frances Benjamin JohnstonFrances Benjamin JohnstonFrances "Fannie" Benjamin Johnston was one of the earliest American female photographers and photojournalists.- Life :...
, early photographer and photojournalist; born in Grafton - George Preston MarshallGeorge Preston MarshallGeorge Preston Marshall was the owner and president of the Washington Redskins of the National Football League from 1932 until his death in 1969.-Contributions:...
- longtime owner and president of the Washington RedskinsWashington RedskinsThe Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,... - Eldora Marie Bolyard NuzumEldora Marie Bolyard NuzumEldora Marie Bolyard Nuzum was a American newspaper editor and journalist who interviewed several United States presidents. She was born in Grafton, West Virginia to Roy Everett Bolyard and Georgia Ellen Deavers Bolyard . Eldora Nuzum started her newspaper career in the 1940s at the daily...
- first female editor of a daily newspaper in WV and Interviewer of U.S. Presidents
Other sources
- Eldora Marie Bolyard NuzumEldora Marie Bolyard NuzumEldora Marie Bolyard Nuzum was a American newspaper editor and journalist who interviewed several United States presidents. She was born in Grafton, West Virginia to Roy Everett Bolyard and Georgia Ellen Deavers Bolyard . Eldora Nuzum started her newspaper career in the 1940s at the daily...
, The West Virginia Encyclopedia, The WV Humanities Council, Charleston, WV, 2006. - Wooley, J.T, and Peters, Gerhard, "The American Presidency", December 1, 1978 Invitational White House Interview of President Jimmy Carter by Eldora Nuzum about the Appalachian Regional Commission, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 1999-2009.
External links
- City of Grafton, West Virginia
- International Mother's Day Shrine
- Taylor County, West Virginia
- Anna Jarvis Birthplace Museum
- Tygart Lake State Park
- The Grafton 123 Coffee House & Cafe
- Mountain Statesman newspaper
- Grafton High School
- Lake Acres Labs
- Lighthouse Leather
- Taylor County Historical & Genealogical Society
- Valley Falls Reception Center
- Rent to Own Property in Taylor County, West Virginia
- Somethin' Country
- West Virginia (WV) Cyclopedia article
- Taylor County Arts Council