|
|
|
|
Fairmont, West Virginia is located in the North-Central region of the state, along West Virginia's I-79 High Tech Corridor, about 18 miles southwest of Morgantown. Fairmont is the county seat of Marion County. Established in 1820 as Middletown, then in Monongalia County, it was chartered by the Virginia General Assembly in 1843 as Fairmont, a contraction of "Fair Mountain". Fairmont is nicknamed "The Friendly City" and is also touted as "The Home of the Original Pepperoni Roll". Father's day originated in Fairmont as well. Fairmont's National White Collar Crime Center provides nationwide support to law enforcement agencies involved in prevention, investigation, and prosecution of economic and high-tech crime. The NASA Independent Verification and Validation Facility, governed by the Goddard Space Flight Center, houses more than 150 full-time employees and more than 20 in-house partners and contractors. As of June 2006, Fairmont city council is in the process (depending on votes) of consolidating Fairmont with the unincorporated communities of Marion County, to have a City-County government, the first to do so in West Virginia. This would make Fairmont the 3rd larest city in the state, just behind Charleston and Huntington. And Here are some pictures I took on the West Side of Fairmont that I thought I would share. |
| A state normal school was established at Fairmont, WV in 1866, which evolved into Fairmont State College, becoming Fairmont State University in 2004 (http://www.fairmontstate.edu/) (An article on the two schools merging By JENNIFER BUNDY may not be available at all times so here it is as written). Fairmont State is an institution offering an enormous range of associate and baccalaureate degree programs. An institution that the faculty are hired for their teaching ability and their commitment to help students succeed. We boast cool architecture, safe streets, fascinating history along with proximity to incredible wilderness, great for whitewater rafting, rock climbing, skiing and hiking. Two schools in one. Earn an associate degree through Pierpont Community & Technical College, then move on to your bachelor's degree at Fairmont State University. Fairmont State University is all about helping you find a solid career path. Through outstanding teaching, internships, research and travel experiences, we help you prepare for the real world. More than 87 percent of our graduates find jobs within one year. |
 Official Website (http://www.fairmontstate.edu/) |
 Valley Falls State Park: Official Website (www.valleyfallsstatepark.com) Rt. 6 Box 244 Fairmont, WV 26273 Phone: (304) 367-2719 |
Valley Falls State Park, southeast of Fairmont, preserves 1,145 wooded acres surrounding Valley Falls on the Tygart River. Popular visitor activities include hiking, sightseeing, and fishing in the Tygart River. Valley Falls provides hikers more than 18 miles of woodland trails.(suitable for all ages and abilities) . Sightseeing (remains of sawmill and grist mill are still present and the spectacular view of the Great Falls) . Fishing, picnic areas available with picnic tables and shelter rental, playgrounds and a volleyball area, horseshoes pitching areas, whitewater rafting is nearby, parking, bathrooms, drinking fountain and picnic tables are available for the disabled Hiking Trails Tygart Valley River Trail is mostly level with one steep incline and is about .2 miles Rhododendron Trail is moderately steep near the end, otherwise it's relatively easy and is about 3.2 miles Deer Trail is about 50 percent nearly level with modest up hill grade and is about 2.1 miles Red Cardinal Trail is all down hill from the park entrance and is about 2 miles Dogwood Trail is steep from Rhododendron Trail, then leveling off and is about .8 miles Wild Turkey Trail is extremely steep from either end, otherwise follows near level ridge and is about 1.2 miles Red Fox Trail is a steep grade from Deer Trail and about .8 miles Retrieved from (http://www.wvexp.com/index.php/Valley_Falls_State_Park) Here are some pictures I took of Valley Falls State Park that I wanted to share with you |
|
Pricketts Fort State Park, north of Fairmont, preserves the historic landscape around the mouth of Pricketts Creek and includes a restored version of a log fort (c.1774) built to defend settlers from hostile Indians during Dunmore's War. Eighty families could withdraw into the stockade, which enclosed four corner blockhouses and 16 tiny cabins surrounding a small commons. The Jacob Prickett Jr Log House was built in 1781 and is the oldest residential structure still standing in Marion County. It is significant structure that is directly related to the structures within the historic Prickett's Fort State Park. Scenic, pastoral Prickett's Fort State Park offers a variety of recreational opportunities to visitors. Picnic tables are available and various concerts and performing arts are presented in a 400-seat amphitheater during the summer. All can enjoy Prickett's Creek and Bay and the Monongahela River with boating facilities including a launch ramp and trailer parking. Fish are plentiful and bass tournaments are held in season. For hiking enthusiasts, the Prickett's Fort Nature Trail has 25 interpretive stations to help introduce guests to the flora and fauna of north central West Virginia. A Guide to the Prickett's Fort Nature Trail, developed by Fairmont State College, is available to assist interested hikers. Additional hiking is afforded by the MC Trail, a converted rails to trails for walkers, joggers and cyclists, that stretches three miles from the park to Fairmont. |
 Pricketts Fort State Park (http://www.prickettsfortstatepark.com) Route 3 Fairmont, WV 26554 Phone (304) 363-3030 or 1-800-CALL WVA |
|
Pricketts Fort Memorial Foundation (http://www.prickettsfort.org/) Rt. 3 Box 407 Fairmont, WV 26554 (304) 363-3030 or 1-800-CALL-WVA |
|
Join The Cities Of . Com |
Today's Good News |