METRO VALLEY
continued




CEREDO




We'll be making a brief stop here to see what else? Another glass factory. The PILGRIM GLASS CORPORATION is known for two difficult-to-make forms of glass....Cranberry and Cameo. Cranberry Glass is a rich, ripe color, the hardest of all colors to produce. It requires the fusion of solid gold with lead crystal...and it's price reflects the gold content. Cameo Glass is expensive for another reason. It is created by encasing one layer of glass within another, adding layers one at a time. After the glass cools, an artist delicately carves into it. Pilgrim's artists have successfully carved thru as many as 12 layers of glass in one piece. Here is just one example of the beautiful work they do.

The next stop here will be to see the Z.D.RAMSDELL HOUSE.

Z.D. Ramsdell built this first red brick house in Ceredo in 1858, and it is on the National Register of Historical places. Furnishings inside are in keeping with the civil war era.

Well lets move on to......



CHARLESTON
State Capital




The "most northern" of the Southern cities and the "most southern" of the Northern cities..... that's Charleston, West Virginia!

One thing that will catch your eye as you come into Charleston (depending on which way you arrive) is the gold dome that sits on top of the Capitol Bldg.

At 293 feet, this dome is 5 feet higher than the Capitol dome in Washington, D.C.

Across the street from the Capitol Building is this sign annoucing a brief history.

Yep, it looks like these folks just couldn't make up their minds. In fact, between 1863 and 1885, the seat of government not only moved from building to building but from Wheeling to Charleston so many times it became known as the "floating capital".


Governor's Mansion

The governor's mansion is a Georgian style 30 room building. The first eight governors didn't have a fine dwelling place such as this. In 1893 the legislature agreed to purchase a residence for the chief executive. Guided tours are available by appointment for the first floor state rooms only.

Next we will visit the Craik-Patton house.

There is a sign on Route 60, and it reads: "Built in 1834 as "Elm Grove" by James Craik, grandson of Geo. Washington's personal physician. Sold to George Smith Patton, 1858 and retained by the family until end of Civil War. Born here was father of noted World War II general Geo. S. Patton. Moved to Lee St. from original Virginia St. location in 1908. Acquired by City of Charleston in 1965 and leased to Colonial Dames. Moved to park 1975." I think that pretty much tells the story....short and to the point.

Want to see what houses looked like before the introduction of sawmills? Well, here you go. This is the Ruffner Log House and it's located on the same property as the Craik-Patton house.

One of the earliest known structures in the area, this log house may date back to 1820.

Before we move on to the next county, I have one more thing I'd like you to see.

This is the P.A.Denny Sternwheeler. Built in 1930 in Charleston, she was originally christened as the towboat Scott. She served the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for many years. She was bought in 1973 by Charleston riverman P.A. Denny who rebuilt her from the hull up and renamed her in honor of a granddaughter. After Mr. Denny's death in 1975, the boat was bought again by businessman Lawson W. Hamilton, Jr. and renamed for his longtime friend. He continues to operate the sternwheeler in memory of Mr. Denny.

The P.A. Denny is the centerpiece of Charleston's 10-day Sternwheel Regatta held just before Labor day. If we were going to be here long enough, we could even take a cruise, but alas, we must be moving on.

Next stop.......



WILLIAMSON




home to the Coal House.
"In the courthouse square of Williamson, the county seat of Mingo County, stands a jet-black fortress-like rectangular building made entirely of coal--a tribute to the importance of coal in the region." (taken from the book THE NEW WEST VIRGINIA ONE-DAY TRIP BOOK.)

Isn't this just the coolest thing you've ever seen? A real building made completely of coal. The Coal House, which now houses the Tug Valley Chamber of Commerce, was built entirely with contributions and donated materials and labor. Completed in 1933, it is now on the National Register of Historic Places.

Even though it's made of combustible coal, there is no danger of fire, so we don't have to worry about going inside. The exterior of the building has held up quite well in 65 years, thanks in part to a biennial weather-proofing treatment.

I think this house of coal and the biggest teapot in the world are two of the neatest attractions we have seen.

We are now coming to a little town called



LOGAN
population 2206




The history of Logan, county and town, is woven with that of Native Americans. Both were named in honor of a Mingo Indian Chief, Tahgahjute, who was called "Logan" after his teacher, James Logan of Pennsylvania. Logan's sister county of Mingo is named for the tribe.

CHIEF LOGAN STATE PARK

is the most visited park in the state system, thanks to the residents. Stop and eat, go for a swim, take a hike, play golf or tennis...have fun but before you leave, make sure to see the life-size statue of Chief Logan, created in white Cherokee marble by Vermont sculptor, Seamus O'Mahoney.



A statue honoring Logan.


Logan was very friendly with the white man until they destroyed his family. He then took revenge by raiding and killing a number of white families. Be sure to read the speech he made..(it's on the statue). You can hear the sadness as he laments the loss of his whole family.

This park is the center of a lot of activity. For instance, they have a reenactment of the Civil War each year. Also, in July and August, they have a drama of love and war. It's the ARACOMA STORY. This is the story of Chief Cornstalk's daughter and her ill-fated love for a British captive. It's set in the Appalachian hills in 1780.

They also have

CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK

250,000 visitors come during the season to see the many Christmas displays. For such a small town, they certainly are busy. I have one more stop here before we move on.

Remember Happy Days? Remember the drive-ins where the girls came to the car and took your order? Guess what? They have one here. It's the Morrison Drive-in.

If we're lucky we may even get to meet Sally, who has worked here since July of 1955.

I've only touched on a few things here in this little town. It is certainly worthy of a visit.

I know ya'll would love to stay here, but we must be movin' on. Next stop will be the NEW RIVER/GREENBRIER Region.