Doddridge and Ritchie Counties

Nestled in the northwestern portion of West Virginia, Doddridge and Ritchie Counties encompass rich, vibrant communities of friendly residents, picturesque vistas, and valuable natural resources. Rural communities like West Union, Leopold, Harrisville, and Macfarlan possess an agreeable small-town personality and a charm often muddled in today's big cities. Named for the journalist Thomas Ritchie, Ritchie County is well known for its derricks and tunnels and was once described by its namesake as a "little gem." Doddridge, which was formed from parts of several counties including Ritchie, was named in honor of Philip Doddridge, a famous statesman.

Doddridge and Ritchie Counties revisits these West Virginia counties during their formative years, acknowledging past citizens and celebrating a way of life prior to the rapid onset of technology. Time seemed to move much slower then, and people were not always in a hurry. Images of clay main streets, rustic farm houses, and horses whose hooves readily click against rocks entice readers to take a closer look, to see for themselves the people and the events that have molded these two Mountain State counties into communities where residents feel safe and blessed and visitors find unprecedented tranquility.

West Virginia historian Robert F. Stealey, editor and columnist with the Clarksburg Exponent-Telegram, has combined expressive vintage photographs with singular anecdotes and captions to reveal the intertwined past of Doddridge and Ritchie Counties. A spirited and unique venture to bring the quintessential history home to county residents of today, this volume is sure to captivate and enlighten anyone who browses its pages.