Brooke County, West Virginia is located in the northern panhandle of the state, along the Ohio River. It is bordered by Ohio to the north and east, Marshall County to the south, and Hancock County to the west. The county covers an area of approximately 208 square miles with a population of 24,069 people as of 2019.
The geography of Brooke County is varied and diverse with a mix of rolling hills, flat plains, valleys, and rivers. The northern part of the county is dominated by hills that gradually decrease in elevation towards the south where they give way to flat plains. The western part of Brooke County is located in a valley formed by Big Wheeling Creek which flows into nearby Ohio River.
The climate in Brooke County is typically humid-continental with cold winters and warm summers. Average temperatures range from lows around 20°F in winter to highs near 85°F during summer months. Rainfall amounts are fairly evenly distributed throughout the year with an average annual precipitation totaling around 40 inches.
The landscape of Brooke County consists mainly of rural agricultural land as well as some forested areas along rivers and creeks. The county’s major crops include corn, soybeans, hay, wheat, oats, apples and vegetables such as tomatoes and peppers. Livestock production also plays a role in local agriculture with beef cattle being raised on farms throughout the region.
In addition to agriculture Brooke County also has several recreational areas including Wheeling Park which features a variety of outdoor activities such as fishing in its lake or hiking its trails; Tomlinson Run State Park which offers camping opportunities; Oglebay Resort which provides lodging and golfing; and Grand Vue Park which has a zip line course among other attractions.
Overall, Brooke County provides an interesting mix between rural landscapes filled with agricultural activity combined with recreational opportunities for visitors looking for something different from their everyday lives.
Country seat and other main cities of Brooke County, West Virginia
The county seat of Brooke County, West Virginia is Wellsburg. This small town of roughly 2,000 people is located along the Ohio River and is the administrative center of the county. The city was founded in 1771 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its architecture and history. The old courthouse building in Wellsburg dates back to 1845 and has been renovated to serve as a local museum.
According to COUNTRYAAH, another notable city in Brooke County is Follansbee. This small town of just over 1,800 people was founded in 1907 and has since become an important industrial center. The town’s economy is largely based on steel production with the Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel plant located nearby. Follansbee also hosts a number of popular annual festivals such as the Follansbee Heritage Festival which celebrates local history and culture.
Hooverson Heights is another small city located within Brooke County with a population of around 1,500 people as of 2019. This town was founded in 1954 and has since become known for its outdoor recreation opportunities such as fishing, boating, and hiking at nearby Tomlinson Run State Park. Hooverson Heights also boasts a number of antique stores which attract visitors from all over the region looking for unique items to add to their collections.
Finally, Bethany is another noteworthy city located within Brooke County with a population of around 400 people as of 2019. Bethany was founded in 1817 by Alexander Campbell who established Bethany College at this site making it one of the oldest college towns in West Virginia. Today, Bethany College still operates here providing an education to students from all over the world while also hosting numerous cultural events throughout the year such as art exhibits, concerts, plays, lectures, and more.
History of Brooke County, West Virginia
Brooke County, West Virginia is located in the northern panhandle of the state and is part of the Ohio Valley region. It was founded in 1797 and named for Robert Brooke, the governor of Virginia at the time. The county was originally part of Ohio County, Virginia before becoming its own entity.
The early history of Brooke County is closely tied to that of the Ohio River which flows through it. The river served as a major transportation route and allowed settlers to easily access the area. It also provided a source of food for early inhabitants as well as providing an abundance of fish and game.
The first major industry in Brooke County was coal mining which began in 1810. This industry quickly grew to dominate the local economy and by 1820 coal production had become the largest economic activity in the county. This trend continued into the late 19th century when other industries such as manufacturing, oil, and gas began to emerge in Brooke County.
Throughout its history, Brooke County has been home to a number of notable individuals including John Brown who led an unsuccessful raid on Harper’s Ferry in 1859 with hopes of sparking a slave revolt. In addition, William Wells Brown who wrote one of the first novels published by an African American author also lived here during his lifetime.
Today, Brooke County continues to be a vibrant community with numerous attractions including Tomlinson Run State Park which offers camping, fishing, hiking trails and more; Wellsburg Historic District which features numerous buildings from throughout history; Bethany College which offers higher education opportunities; Follansbee Heritage Festival which celebrates local culture; and Hooverson Heights Antique Mall which features items from all over West Virginia.
Economy of Brooke County, West Virginia
Brooke County, West Virginia is located in the Northern Panhandle and is part of the Ohio Valley region. It has a population of 24,069 people as of 2018. The county has historically been an important part of the state’s economy due to its proximity to major transportation routes and resources such as the Ohio River.
The main industries in Brooke County are manufacturing, healthcare, education, oil and gas extraction, and coal mining. Manufacturing makes up the largest part of the county’s economy with products such as chemicals, machinery, fabricated metals, and plastics being produced here. The healthcare sector is also growing rapidly with several hospitals in the area providing quality healthcare services to residents. Education is also an important sector with Bethany College offering higher education opportunities for local students.
Oil and gas extraction has been a major industry in Brooke County since 1820 when coal production became a major economic activity here. This industry continues to be an important part of the local economy with numerous oil and gas wells located throughout the county. Coal mining is still an important industry here but it has declined significantly over recent years due to increased regulations and competition from other sources of energy production such as natural gas.
In addition to these industries, Brooke County also benefits from tourism which brings visitors from all over West Virginia and beyond to experience its attractions such as Tomlinson Run State Park which offers camping, fishing, hiking trails; Wellsburg Historic District which features numerous buildings from throughout history; Follansbee Heritage Festival which celebrates local culture; Hooverson Heights Antique Mall which features items from all over West Virginia; art exhibits; concerts; plays; lectures; and more.