Greenbrier County

History

Prior to the arrival of European-American settlers around 1740, Greenbrier County, like most of West Virginia, was used as a hunting ground by the Shawnee and Cherokee nations. They called this land Can-tuc-kee.

Shawnee leaders, including Pucksinwah and later his son Tecumseh, were alarmed by the arrival of the European settlers, who by 1771 had set up extensive trade in the area. The day books of early merchants Sampson and George Mathews recorded sales to the Shawnee that included such luxury items as silk, hats, silver, and tailor-made suits. Shawnee leaders feared the loss of their hunting lands, which were vital to their survival. They believed the white settlers would continue to encroach on their territory downriver on the Ohio.

Confrontations, sometimes violent, increased between the Native Americans and settlers. In 1774, the Earl of Dunmore, then governor of the colonies of New York and Virginia, decided to raise an army of 3,000 men to attack the Shawnees in their homeland in present-day Ohio. Half of these men were inducted at Fort Pitt, while the other half assembled at Fort Union under the command of General Andrew Lewis. The town of present-day Lewisburg developed around the fort and was named for that commander. By early October of that year, Lewis' force had marched downstream to the mouth of the Kanawha River. They fought the Battle of Point Pleasant against a Shawnee force led by Hokoleskwa, also known as Cornstalk. This site later developed as the town of Point Pleasant, West Virginia.

European settlers were subjected to a number of raids by Native Americans during the colonial period, including a raid on Fort Randolph and later on Fort Donnally, then inhabited by 25 men and 60 women and children. One of the heroic defenders of Fort Donnally was an African American slave named Dick Pointer. Pointer, said to have been nearly 7 feet (2.1 m) tall, defended the log door with Philip Hamman, giving the settlers enough time to awaken and defend themselves. Pointer later addressed the Virginia General Assembly and gave a moving appeal that "in the decline of life" he requested to be freed for his defense of Fort Donnally. Historic accounts differ as to whether the legislature granted his wish. His grave is marked beside Carnegie Hall in the county seat of Lewisburg, and a historical marker stands prominently in the midst of the Lewisburg Cemetery. Pointer's gun is on permanent display at The Greenbrier Historical Society and John A. North House Museum in Lewisburg.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,025 square miles (2,650 km2), of which 1,020 square miles (2,600 km2) is land and 4.9 square miles (13 km2) (0.5%) is water. It is the second-largest county in West Virginia by area.

Much of the area of the northern and western parts of the county is either public (Monongahela National Forest), coal land, or private forest, owned by companies such as MeadWestvaco and CSX.

In 2005, Invenergy, LLC of Chicago Illinois announced plans to build the $300 million, 124-turbine Beech Ridge Wind Farm along the tops of several Greenbrier County mountains. The wind farm would produce 186 megawatts of electricity. Development, which was originally expected to begin in late 2007, was stalled when the state Supreme Court agreed to hear the case brought by opponents of the project. Ultimately, The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the developers, clearing the way for construction to begin in the summer of 2009. However, in July of that year, a U.S. District Court in Maryland agreed to hear a case filed by opponents.

National and state protected areas

Greenbrier State Forest

George Washington and Jefferson National Forests (WV/VA Line)

Lost World Caverns

Monongahela National Forest (part)

Organ Cave System

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 32,977. Of the residents, 19.3% were under the age of 18 and 24.5% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 47.3 years. For every 100 females there were 94.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 92.0 males.

The racial makeup of the county was 92.1% White, 2.4% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% Asian, 0.7% from some other race, and 4.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.7% of the population.

There were 14,414 households in the county, of which 24.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them. Of these households, 42.5% were married couples living together, 28.8% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present, and 20.6% had a male householder with no spouse present; about 32.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

The average household and family size was 2.8.

There were 17,807 housing units, of which 19.1% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 73.7% were owner-occupied and 26.3% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.4% and the rental vacancy rate was 11.1%.

The median income for a household in the county was $48,662 and the poverty rate was 20.7%.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 35,480 people, 15,443 households, and 9,903 families residing in the county. The population density was 34.8 inhabitants per square mile (13.4/km2). There were 18,980 housing units at an average density of 18.6 units per square mile (7.2 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.6% white, 2.8% black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.2% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 17.8% were Irish, 17.0% were German, 12.0% were English, and 10.0% were American.

Of the 15,443 households, 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.9% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 35.9% were non-families, and 30.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.79. The median age was 45.0 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,732 and the median income for a family was $43,182. Males had a median income of $34,845 versus $27,254 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,044. About 14.7% of families and 19.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.5% of those under age 18 and 13.6% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 34,453 people, 14,571 households, and 9,922 families residing in the county. The population density was 34 people per square mile (13 people/km2). There were 17,644 housing units at an average density of 17 units per square mile (6.6 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.23% White, 3.04% Black or African American, 0.34% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.15% from other races, and 1.04% from two or more races. 0.68% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 14,571 households, out of which 27.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.20% were married couples living together, 10.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.90% were non-families. 28.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.83.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.60% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 26.10% from 25 to 44, 26.90% from 45 to 64, and 17.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 92.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $26,927, and the median income for a family was $33,292. Males had a median income of $26,157 versus $19,620 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,247. About 14.50% of families and 18.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.70% of those under age 18 and 16.00% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

Much like the state itself, the county has shifted further to the right since the start of the 21st Century with Bill Clinton being the last Democratic presidential candidate to win the county in 1996. It had still had gone for Democratic candidates on other elections until the mid to late 2010s such as the 2016 gubernatorial election, and in 2018 by Joe Manchin in the Senate race.

Law and government

Like all West Virginia counties, Greenbrier County is governed by a three-person, elected county commission. Other elected officers include the sheriff, county clerk, circuit clerk, assessor, prosecuting attorney, surveyor, two circuit judges, three magistrates, and a family court judge. There is also a five-member school board and six conservation district supervisors, with at least two from each county in the district.

Office holders

Source:

Board members are elected in non-partisan elections and serve four-year terms.

Commissioners are elected to six-year terms.

Greenbrier, along with Monroe and Pocahontas counties, is represented by the Greenbrier Valley district. At least two supervisors per county are elected during primaries and serve four-year terms.

The sheriff is limited to two consecutive four-year terms; the clerk serves six-year terms, and the prosecuting attorney and assessor each serve four-year terms.

Judicial

Source:

Greenbrier along with Pocahontas County is in the 29th Judicial Circuit.

Circuit Court Judges are elected to eight-year terms. Clerks are elected to six-year terms.

Greenbrier, and Monroe county make up the 15th Family Court Circuit. Judges are elected to eight-year terms.

Magistrates are elected in non-partisan elections during primaries, and serve four-year terms.

State Legislature

Source:

Each county in West Virginia is represented by one or more House of Delegates members and state senators.

Greenbrier County is represented by the 46th, 47th, and 48th District in the West Virginia House of Delegates. Delegates serve two-year terms with all of the seats in the House up for election every two years.

Greenbrier County is currently represented by West Virginia's 10th Senate district. Senators serve four-year terms with half of those seats up for election every two years.

Federal Representatives

Source:

Greenbrier County is represented in congress by the 1st congressional district of West Virginia.

Education

Public schools

Greenbrier County Schools is the operating school system within Greenbrier County. The school system is governed by the Greenbrier County Board of Education, which is elected on a non-partisan basis. The Superintendent of Schools, who is appointed by the Board, provides administrative supervision for the system. The School Board Office is located on Church Street in Lewisburg. Following a trend in West Virginia, schools at the secondary level are consolidated, while elementary schools continue to be located within small communities.

Alderson Elementary School

Crichton Elementary School

Eastern Greenbrier Middle School

Frankford Elementary School

Greenbrier East High School

Greenbrier West High School

Lewisburg Elementary School

Rainelle Elementary School

Ronceverte Elementary School

Rupert Elementary School

Smoot Elementary School

Western Greenbrier Middle School

White Sulphur Springs Elementary School

Private schools

Greenbrier Community School (Formerly Greenbrier Episcopal School)

Seneca Trail Academy

Renick Christian School

Lewisburg Baptist Academy

Former schools

Source:

Alderson High/Jr. High School

Altavista School

Alvon/Neola School (Near White Sulphur Springs)

Anthony Creek School

Arbuckle School

Baldwin School

Balm of Gilead School

Baker School

Bethel School

Big Clear Creek School

Blue Sulphur Springs Junior High School

Blue Swamp School

Boling School

Brown School

Brushy Flat School

Brushy Ridge School

Burdett School

Carol Hill School

Central School

Charity School

Cherry Row School

Charmco School

Chestnut Grove School

Chestnut Ridge School

Coal Hollow School

Coalbank School

Other

Alternative/Home Schooling (County-wide)

West Virginia State Virtual School

Colleges and universities

New River Community and Technical College (NRCTC), Greenbrier Valley Campus

West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM)

Transportation

Airports

Greenbrier Valley Airport is a single runway airport 3 miles north of Lewisburg, West Virginia. Flights are provided by Contour Airlines.

Railroads

Amtrak, the national passenger rail service, provides service to White Sulphur Springs and Alderson under the Cardinal route.

Communities

Cities

Lewisburg (county seat)

Ronceverte

White Sulphur Springs

Towns

Alderson (Partially located in Monroe County)

Falling Spring (Also known as Renick)

Quinwood

Rainelle

Rupert

Census-designated place

Fairlea

Magisterial districts

Central

Eastern

Western

Tax districts

Anthony's Creek – represented by Mayor Terry "Mountain" McLaughlin

Blue Sulphur

Falling Spring (sometimes Falling Springs)

Fort Spring

Frankfort

Irish Corner

Lewisburg (historically Big Levels)

Meadow Bluff

White Sulfur

Williamsburg