Charleston WV – The following events happened on these dates in West Virginia history.
To read more, go to e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia at www.wvencyclopedia.org.
July 11, 1861: The Battle of Rich Mountain was fought in Randolph County. Union
troops under Gen. George McClellan defeated Confederate forces, helping to secure
northwestern Virginia (now West Virginia) for the North.
July 11, 1867: John Jacob Cornwell was born on a farm in Ritchie County. He served as
the 15th governor of West Virginia.
July 11, 1976: Gov. Arch Moore dedicated the West Virginia Culture Center. The facility
was built to showcase the Mountain State’s artistic, cultural and historic heritage.
July 12, 2003: The Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences in downtown Charleston opened
to the public. It combines a modern performing arts center with a visual arts museum and an
interactive science center.
July 13, 1861: The Battle of Corricks Ford took place in Tucker County. During the
fight, Confederate Gen. Robert S. Garnett became the first Confederate general killed in battle
during the Civil War.
July 14, 1861: Union troops under Gen. Jacob Cox drove Confederate militia and cavalry
out of town during the Battle of Barboursville. Union forces remained in control of Barboursville
for the remainder of the war.
July 14, 1900: Gangster William “Big Bill” Lias was born in Wheeling, or Greece. For
much of the mid-1900s, he was considered the leader of bootlegging, organized crime, and
gambling in the Wheeling area.
July 15, 1886: Congressman Cleveland Monroe “Cleve” Bailey was born on a farm in
Pleasants County. He represented West Virginia’s third congressional district for eight terms in
the U.S. House of Representatives, 1945–47 and 1949–63.
July 15, 1988: Interstate 64 was completed when the final section between Sam Black
Church and the West Virginia Turnpike was opened to traffic.
July 16, 1791: General Adam Stephen died. He fought in the French and Indian War and
Revolutionary War, receiving a commendation after the Battle of Trenton and concluding his
military career after the American loss at Brandywine. He played pivotal roles in the founding of
both Berkeley County and Martinsburg.
July 16, 1869: Philanthropist Michael Late Benedum was born in Bridgeport. He made a
fortune in the oil and gas business but is best remembered for establishing the Claude
Worthington Benedum Foundation.
July 17, 1861: The Battle of Scary Creek took place in Putnam County. It was one of the
earliest battles of the war and one of the first Confederate victories.
July 17, 1914: Singer Eleanor Steber was born in Wheeling. She made her debut with the
Metropolitan Opera in 1940.
July 17, 1921: Marcenia “Toni” Stone was born in Bluefield. She would become the first
woman to play professional baseball for a previously all-male team. In 1953, she joined the
Indianapolis Clowns of the old Negro American League, replacing the team’s second baseman,
Hank Aaron, who had just joined the National League’s Milwaukee Braves.
July 17, 1922: The Cliftonville Mine Battle took place east of Wellsburg, Brooke
County. The gun battle between striking miners and sheriff’s forces left at least nine people dead.