The Great Snow of 1950, which commenced the evening before Thanksgiving,
is recalled as one of the worst to hit the region in the 20th
Century, stranding most citizens in their homes, with the
melt-down resulting in flooding, photos of the Mt. Zion community
near Kelly's Store and the Mt. Zion United Methodist Church

SNOWFALL IN WV WAS 20-40 INCHES

Transcribed From Calhoun Chronicle
Nov. 30, 1950, By Norma Knotts Shaffer

One of the worst snowstorms in recent times has been raging in the Calhoun area since last Friday. Nearly three feet of snow, followed by high winds, virtually left this section isolated from the outside world.

Most highways were blocked by heavy drifts, some as high as ten feet. The usual bustling business of Grantsville on Saturday was off, and by evening the town was described as a "ghost town," with few venturing out in the face of the storm.

Calhoun teacher Ernest Kelley and wife Pauline examine snow-pile
cleared from Rt. 16 near Kelley's Store and Mt. Zion Church

Repairs to the town water system were completed as scheduled, in spite of the bad weather, and service was normal by Saturday noon.

Bulldozers belonging to Hope Natural Gas company and Godfrey L. Cabot, Inc. were put to work Monday and Tuesday in an effort to dig out the snowbound communities. Some mail was brought Tuesday for the first time since Saturday and one bread truck was able to get through with much-needed bread.

Locals use small dozer to clear highway near old McDonald house

Schools in the county were dismissed one day ahead of schedule because of the water shortage in Grantsville, and students received an extra long holiday as the storm brought further delays with no school. Many college students were stranded at their homes, unable to return to their schools from Thanksgiving holiday.

Two of the town's physicians, Dr. John S. Boling and Dr. W. C. Holcomb were stranded at Mount Zion for nearly two days and finally walked the six miles back to town. It is reported that Rev. H. L. Underwood made the most of a journey from Mount Zion to Grantsville on foot.

It required nearly a week for many to dig out after the record snowfall. Warmer weather then brought floods to many sections of the county. On Sunday morning the Russett-Stumptown road was closed by high water and other roads were covered during the day.

By Monday water was over Route 16 by the high school and travel to Grantsville from the south was strictly by boat.

One of the business places to bear the greatest damage was Garland Stump's grocery store and filling station which had three feet of water Monday.

Mr. Stump was able to move his stock and fixtures Sunday night and was back ready for business by Tuesday morning.

The river continued to raise until three o'clock Monday afternoon. After it had reached its crest it began to fall rather rapidly. Rt. 16 was open for traffic Tuesday morning and other main routes soon were clear.