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Rich in Cultural Heritage A visit to Putnam County is a unique adventure which transcends more than 150 years. Formed in 1848, Putnam County was named after General Israel Putnam, a Revolutionary War hero. Much of the land here was surveyed by George Washington. While we remain very proud of our rich history, we are a progressive county with much to offer our visitors. The strategic location between West Virginia's largest metropolitan areas of Charleston and Huntington has contributed to Putnam County's rank as one of the fastest growing counties in the state. The past and present meet throughout the county where revitalized historic districts host antique stores, boutiques, craft shops and restaurants -- both casual and elegant. History is celebrated with reenactment, festivals and guided tours of historic sites. Several communities proudly coordinate activities and special events to educate residents and visitors about their heritage. Good land and water were the first to attract pioneers and settlers to the area. Here they found wide fertile river bottoms, well forested hills and hollows, and potential grazing lands on the higher ridges. The nearby Kanawha River that split the county down the middle also provided a route to the outside world. Mary Ingles -- 1755 Each year the Weiford Settlement in Putnam County is the site of a living history trail presented by the Mary Ingles Trail Association. School children and visitors follow the living history trail where they stop at various places to listen to actors who tell them the story of Mary Ingles' capture by Indians, her escape, and her incredible journey home through wilderness areas which are now parts of West Virginia. As you walk through history with us you will visit Native Americans, Frontiersmen, Trappers, Traders, and Settlers living in the time of 1753 to 1880. You will see people cooking on open fires with cast iron kettles, chopping wood, tanning animal hides, churning butter, and performing other tasks that were necessary for survival on the early frontier. This historical and cultural event about the capture, captivity, and amazing walk back to Virginia by Mary Draper Ingles has been presented for the past 13 years by the trail association. History buffs can find the story of this courageous pioneer woman in two books, Follow the River by J. A. Thom and Trans-Allegheny Pioneers, written by the great-grandson of Mary Ingles, John P. Hale. Both books are available at the Putnam County Library. Civil War Valley Park in Hurricane serves as the host site for the Civil War Weekend held each year in March. A huge success in past years, the 2002 event will be the fifth annual. Residents and visitors alike enjoy the activities and learn the history of the period in a time that dramatically shaped the future of our nation. The weekend is packed with exciting battle maneuvers and tactical demonstrations, "true to life" campsites, sutler merchants, a memorial service, historical lantern tours, children's activities, 1800s church service, and dancing to the tunes of the Civil War era. Over 300 reenactors portray the history of the county in colorful period costumes. The event etches images on the mind of smoke from the lines of muskets, galloping horses and booming cannons echoing over the valley. It is provided to commemorate the area's Civil War history and highlight the Skirmish at Hurricane Bridge and the Battle of Scary Creek.
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