Today we recall the life and times of Ritchie County WV, re-publishing some of the stories on the Hur Herald.

Ritchie County was launched into the western movement very early in 1835 with the building of the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike.

It is difficult to imagine the work hardiness of the immigrants who built the road by hand across the wilderness.

The coming of the B&O railroad before the Civil War was a monumental event, launching the area into the Industrial Revolution, with a dozen or more flourishing towns created along the line or with spur lines.

Needless to say, I have always been inspired by Ritchie's history.