Marion County, West Virginia Travel To Mark Civil War Anniversary For A Historic Site
The Civil War Trails Program in West Virginia works to increase tourism and public knowledge about the civil war by providing trail markers and driving brochures to the public. Similar programs have worked well in surrounding states, and West Virginia travel and tourism officials see it as an opportunity to build Civil War tourism infrastructure in the state to attract more tourist dollars.
The state has many historic sites, including the first land battle of the war and Stonewall Jackson's birthplace. The state Division of Tourism is anticipating a surge in Civil War related tourism during the 150th anniversary. Currently there are 74 marked Civil War Historical sites in the state, such as Harpers Ferry, Wheeling Hospital and Rich Mountain Battlefield, and another 76 sites are awaiting signs. Five of these sites are in Marion County, including the homes of Waitman T. Willey and Francis Pierpont, considered to be the Father of West Virginia.