WEST VIRGINIA: THE
MOUNTAIN STATE
BY CLAY LARROY
We lead
such busy lives working, going to school, taking children to different
activities that often we do not stop and talk to our children. We usually do
not have time to sit around the dinner table and ask our children what they did
today. Family vacations are so
important, as it gives us a way to connect with each other in a stress free
relaxed environment. Families that take vacations together build memories that
will last a lifetime. Family vacations and travel can be a most rewarding
experience. When
you are ready to plan a vacation contact me!
Huntington
Huntington sits on the mid-section of the scenic and historic Ohio River at the point where West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky meet. Our city is home to some 56,000 citizens and serves a Tri-State area of 365,000 persons.
Huntington is the turn-of-the-century railroad kingdom named for its founder, Collis P. Huntington. He was builder, owner and operator of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway, beginning in the 1860's. Collis P. Huntington was known as 'The Great Persuader' because of his aptitude as a natural born salesman. In 1862, Collis P. Huntington was able to convince Congress to designate the Central Pacific as the western end of the long-dreamed transcontinental railroad. He spent seven years struggling with the tremendous task of pushing the Central Pacific through the mountains to link it with the Union Pacific. In 1884, he became the first man in the United States to ride his own railroad car from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific over tracks he either owned or controlled.
Year-round activities from circuses, rock and country concerts to conventions and trade shows. Conference Center available for parties, wedding receptions, family reunions, training sessions, meetings, and/or social gathering for groups ranging from 25-1,000. Full service catering available. One Civic Center Plaza, 3rd Ave. & 8th St. I-64 Exit 8. (304) 696-5990 Conference Center (304) 696-4400
Blenko Glass Company
Observe artisans creating unique handmade glassware that is famous throughout the world. Only outlet for national manufacturer of glass and a historical museum; Country Music Award and U.S. Capitol lighting globe on display. Observation area open to view glassmaking M-F 8a-3:15p*, tours available upon request, also military exhibit. Ample parking; admission free. Visitors Center hours*: summer, M-F 8a-5p, and Sa 9a-5p, Sun noon-5p; winter, M-F8a-4p, Sa 9a-4p, Su noon-4p. (*hours and times subject to change, call ahead to confirm). I-64 Exit 28, Milton, WV. Just 20 minutes east of Huntington and 30 minutes west of Charleston. (304) 743-9081.
Located on 5th Ave. & 8th St. - the hub of Cabell County. Built in 1901, the Courthouse is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. I-64 Exit 8
Camden Park is a traditional amusement park, established in 1903. The Park is home to over 30 rides and attractions. Catered picnics for groups of 50 to 5000 are our specialty! Open May-Sept, contact for days of operation. 1-866-8CAMDEN
more than a dealership - it's an experience! Come in and see for yourself. Visit our motorcycle museum with bikes dating from 1909. Purchase some leather for yourself or some chrome for your bike. Enjoy a super-sized sandwich or salad in our 50s style diner. Stop for a visit, stay for a while and become a part of Charlie's Harley-Davidson family. 408 4th St, (304) 523-1340, Fax (304) 523-5474. Hours M-Th 10a-6p, F 10a-7p, Sa 9a-5p, closed Sun
The Cooking & Culinary Institute at Marshall Community and Technical College is dedicated to the ongoing pursuit of excellence in not only Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts Programs, but also in picture perfect catering events and instructional cuisine classes. Students become artisans and make your meeting, conference, or social gathering an elegant event to remember. Have an event or take a class. 917 3rd Ave. Huntington. (304) 743-9081.
A statue of the City's founder, Collis P. Huntington, is located here. The statue was sculpted by noted artist, Gutzon Borglum, who created Mt. Rushmore. 10th St. and 7th Ave. I-64 Exit 8.
Celebrate our Appalachian Heritage through the Museums of Progress, Transportation, Industry and Heritage. Also, enjoy the Country Store, Blacksmith, Schoolhouse, Church, Children's Activity Museum and Farm Petting Zoo. Lodging and Meeting facilities are also available. Guided Tours. Open 10a-3p M-Sa except major holidays. I-64 Exit 8, follow signs, 3300 Harvey Road, off Johnstown Rd. (304) 522-1244
Downtown Huntington's former B & O Railway Station, this architectural award winning complex contains an authentic locomotive, a renovated Pullman car, attractive plaza, unique shops, and the city's first bank once robbed by the James gang. For more information on parties, rentals and events contact: Greater Huntington Park and Recreation District, 11th St. and Veterans Memorial Blvd. I-64 Exit 8. (304) 696-5954.
Built in 1914 and currently houses city officials. 5th Ave. and 8th St. I-64 Exit 8
Nestled on 52 acres, the Huntington Museum of Art is a fine arts museum with something for everyone, including a tropical plant conservatory and nature trails.
Huntington Railroad Museum
Located at Memorial Boulevard and 14th Street West, in Huntington's Ritter Park, this outdoor museum is open free every Sunday from 2-5 P.M., from the Sunday after Memorial Day to September 30th so long as a volunteer can be accessible. Call 866-639-7487 to schedule special visits. Chapter members, as your hosts, are happy to explain everything on display. We also open for birthday parties and other events for $75. Please give us 2 weeks notice before the date of the event so we will be able to accommodate a volunteer.
Opened to traffic in August of 1985 after more than 20 years of planning and designing and nearly 10 years of construction efforts. It was built utilizing a distinctive asymmetrical cable-stayed girder design. The bridge spans the Ohio River. It is only the third of its kind in the United States. The bridge segments were placed together piece by piece. The segments, which weighed roughly 200 tons, were hoisted by a crane and joined to a 360 foot A shaped concrete tower already in the river.
Huntington's Kitchen Located at 911 3rd Avenue, Huntington, visit the kitchen made famous on the ABC hit television show starring Chef Jamie Oliver. Huntington's Kitchen is somewhere visitors and the local community can go to learn about food and find out how to cook. It's the first in America and Jamie hopes that it will inspire people to set up more of the same kind of centers all over the US (304) 522-0887.
Historic home of Brigadier General Albert Gallatin Jenkins, C.S.A. Build ca. 1835 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this plantation was home to a large number of African-Americans prior to the Civil War. The Jenkins Plantation is located on WV Route 2 and accessible from I-64, exit 18. The grounds, adjacent to the Greenbottom Wildlife Management Area, are open to the public. Museum hours, T-Sa 10a-4p. Closed Holidays. (304) 762-1059
Located in downtown Huntington at 925 Fourth Ave. When the heavy polished brass doors opened for the first time in 1928, the main attraction was screen star Reginald Denny in the film Good Morning Judge and the theater was second in size only to the Roxy Theater in New York City. Composed of Baroque and Renaissance elements, the building is one of the most unique and ornate structures in the Tri-State. The stage is framed by a giant golden stage curtain and the ceiling is studded with stars and clouds. Today the Keith Albee is home to the Marshall Artists Series, bringing top name entertainment to the city.
The historic Madie Carroll House, ca. 1810, is on the National Register and is being operated by the Madie Carroll Preservation Society, a tax-exempt, charity, as a house museum that is open for tours by appointment and for cultural events. For more information, call Karen Nance, Secretary, 304-736-1655
A full service Casino & Resort offering a one stop destination for Entertainment, Food & Beverage, Meetings, Events, & Live Greyhound Racing! I-64 Exits 47 & 47A, Cross Lanes, WV. (304) 776-1000
Celebrating 150 years of higher education, MU is the second largest university in the state. Twelve colleges and schools educate an enrollment of approximately 16,000. Marshall University, the home of exciting Thundering Herd sports. 5th Ave. and Hal Greer Blvd. I-64 Exit 11. (304) 696-3170
An all-day train excursion from Huntington to Hinton, WV with stops in St. Albans and Montgomery to board passengers. This 300 mile round trip winds through the scenic New River Gorge with a stop in Thurman, WV in the heart of the New River National Park for a tour of the restored rail station and a photo run-by. While in Hinton, join in the celebration of Railroad Days at a street fair. Coach, Premium and Private Car accommodations available. Toll Free 866-639-7487
Pumpkin House
Seasonal. Historic home of former Kenova Mayor, Ric Griffith. An annual Halloween tradition, every year the house is surrounded by thousands of pumpkins, carved and lit to tell a story that is put to music. Must see!
For unexpected treats and adventure, tots (of all ages) enjoy this preschool and toddlers playground proclaimed by Child magazine as one of the 10 best playgrounds in America. This singular design has received a number of awards and has been featured in Architecture and Landscape Architecture magazines. Ritter Park near 12th St. For information call the Greater Huntington Park and Recreation District, (304) 696-5954. I-64 Exits 8 & 11.
Since 1934, West Virginia's nationally recognized municipal rose garden containing 1,000 plants and noted for its All-America Rose Selections. It is an accredited test garden and a favorite spot for weddings and receptions. Ritter Park off McCoy Road (8th Street Hill). For information call the Greater Huntington Park and Recreation District, (304) 696-5954. I-64 Exits 8 & 11.
One of the largest antique radio museums in the US. Over 10,000sq ft of displays from the 1920's to the present. Open Sat 10a-4p, Sun 1-4p. 1640 Florence Ave. in former Harvey Town School (304) 525-8890.
Relive yesteryear's travel in the Cabell'90 and the Huntington'71 streetcars. Available for charter. (304) 529-6094
REFERENCE SITES
A lot of West Virginia is untouched. It doesn't have as many strip malls, it has these old towns that feel like it used to be how it looked. Charleston has this river that runs through it, and it's really beautiful.
Sam Trammell
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