Tucker County, West Virginia

Tucker County
County
Tucker County Courthouse in Parsons Blackwater Falls State Park Fernow Experimental Forest Canaan Valley
Seal
Location of Tucker County in West Virginia
West Virginia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 39°05′N79°20′W / 39.09°N 79.34°W / 39.09; -79.34
Country	United States
State	West Virginia
Founded	March 7, 1856
Named for	Henry St. George Tucker, Sr.
Seat	Parsons
and largest city
Government
• Commission President	Michael Rosenau (D) [1]
• County Commission	Fred Davis Tim Knotts (R) [2]
Area
• Total	1,090 km2 (421 sq mi)
• Land	1,090 km2 (419 sq mi)
• Water	5 km2 (2.1 sq mi)  0.5%
• Rank	28th
Population  (2020)
• Total	6,762
• Estimate  (2021)	6,672
• Rank	52nd
• Density	6.2/km2 (16/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Area code(s)	304, 681
Congressional district	2nd
Senate district	14th
House of Delegates district	85th
Website	https://tuckercountycommission.com/

Tucker County is a county in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 6,762, ^[3] making it West Virginia's fourth-least populous county. Its county seat is Parsons. ^[4] The county was created in 1856 from a part of Randolph County, then part of Virginia. In 1871, a small part of Barbour County, was transferred to Tucker County. ^[5] The county was named after Henry St. George Tucker, Sr., a judge and Congressman from Williamsburg, Virginia. ^{[6] [7]}

History

Tucker County was created in 1856 from a part of Randolph County, then part of Virginia. In 1861, as a result of the Wheeling Convention, Tucker County joined the rest of West Virginia in breaking away from Virginia to remain a part of the Union.

In 1863, West Virginia's counties were divided into civil townships, with the intention of encouraging local government. This proved impractical in the heavily rural state, and in 1872 the townships were converted into magisterial districts. ^[8] Tucker County was initially divided into three townships: Black Fork, Hannahsville, and St. George, which became magisterial districts in 1872. The following year, Hannahsville became Licking District, and in 1876, two new magisterial districts were formed: Clover from part of St. George, and Dry Fork from part of Black Fork. A sixth district, Fairfax, was organized in the 1880s, followed by a seventh, Davis, formed in the 1890s from parts of Dry Fork and Fairfax Districts. ^[9]

Between 1889 and '93, a dispute known as the Tucker County Seat War took place between the people in the town of Parsons and that of St. George, over the location of the county seat. Although nobody was killed in the "war", the situation came to a climax when a mob of armed men from Parsons marched on St. George and took the county records by force. ^{[10] [11] [12]}

Beginning in 1907, the Babcock Lumber Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, while operating out of Davis, West Virginia, clear cut the mountain ridges throughout Tucker Country. This clear cutting, with its residual slashings, converted the landscape into a "tinderbox". By 1910, fires burned continuously — in some areas for years on end, from spring until the first snows — leaving little other than thin mineral soil and bare rock. In 1914, with the county virtually denuded of standing trees, the ground burned continually for 6 months. As a result, top soils that once produced huge timbers on the mountainsides — including the largest tree ever harvested in West Virginia, a white oak some 13 feet in diameter just 10 feet from the ground — washed down into the narrow valleys and bottom lands, which had always been too narrow for harvesting productive crops or livestock. Uncontrollable soil erosion and flooding further degraded and depopulated the region. To this day, Tucker County and surrounding regions bear the scars of this remarkable conflagration. ^[13]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 421 square miles (1,090 km²), of which 419 square miles (1,090 km²) is land and 2.1 square miles (5.4 km²) (0.5%) is water. ^[14]

Major highways

• U.S. Highway 219
• West Virginia Route 32
• West Virginia Route 38
• West Virginia Route 72
• West Virginia Route 90
• West Virginia Route 93

WV 48

Adjacent counties

• Preston County (north)
• Grant County (east)
• Randolph County (south)
• Barbour County (west)

State parks

• Blackwater Falls State Park
• Canaan Valley Resort State Park
• Fairfax Stone State Park

Federal lands

• Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge
• Dolly Sods Wilderness
• Fernow Experimental Forest
• Monongahela National Forest

National Natural Landmarks

• Big Run Bog
• Canaan Valley
• Fisher Spring Run Bog

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1860	1,428		—
1870	1,907		33.5%
1880	3,151		65.2%
1890	6,459		105.0%
1900	13,433		108.0%
1910	18,675		39.0%
1920	16,791		−10.1%
1930	13,374		−20.4%
1940	13,173		−1.5%
1950	10,600		−19.5%
1960	7,750		−26.9%
1970	7,447		−3.9%
1980	8,675		16.5%
1990	7,728		−10.9%
2000	7,231		−6.4%
2010	7,141		−1.2%
2020	6,762		−5.3%
2021 (est.)	6,672	[15]	−1.3%
U.S. Decennial Census [16] 1790–1960 [17] 1900–1990 [18] 1990–2000 [19] 2010–2020 [3]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 6,762 people and 2,790 households residing in the county. There were 4,650 housing units in Preston. The racial makeup of the county was 95.5% White, 0.3% African American, 0.1% Asian, 0.1% Native American, 0.3% from other races, and 3.7% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 0.8% of the population.

Of the 2,790 households, 46.9% were married couples living together, 27.6% had a female householder with no spouse present, 20.8% had a male householder with no spouse present.The average household and family size was 3.09. The median age in the county was 51 years with 14.9% of the population under 18. The median income for a household was $49,808 and the poverty rate was 9.9%. ^[20]

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 7,141 people, 3,057 households, and 2,052 families living in the county. ^[21] The population density was 17.0 inhabitants per square mile (6.6/km²). There were 5,346 housing units at an average density of 12.8 units per square mile (4.9 units/km²). ^[22] The racial makeup of the county was 98.7% white, 0.2% American Indian, 0.2% black or African American, 0.1% Asian, 0.1% from other races, and 0.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.6% of the population. ^[21] In terms of ancestry, 30.3% were German, 15.7% were Irish, 8.1% were American, 7.9% were English, and 5.8% were Dutch. ^[23]

Of the 3,057 households, 25.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.1% were married couples living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.9% were non-families, and 28.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.77. The median age was 46.3 years. ^[21]

The median income for a household in the county was $32,712 and the median income for a family was $43,307. Males had a median income of $34,321 versus $22,938 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,020. About 12.9% of families and 17.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.3% of those under age 18 and 20.7% of those age 65 or over. ^[24]

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 7,321 people, 3,052 households, and 2,121 families living in the county. The population density was 18 people per square mile (6.9 people/km²). There were 4,634 housing units at an average density of 11 units per square mile (4.2 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.85% White, 0.07% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.01% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 0.10% from other races, and 0.66% from two or more races. 0.25% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,052 households, out of which 27.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.00% were married couples living together, 7.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.50% were non-families. 27.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.84.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.30% under the age of 18, 6.70% from 18 to 24, 26.40% from 25 to 44, 27.70% from 45 to 64, and 17.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 95.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $26,250, and the median income for a family was $32,574. Males had a median income of $24,149 versus $17,642 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,349. About 14.90% of families and 18.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.30% of those under age 18 and 15.50% of those age 65 or over.

Politics and government

Federal Politics

Tucker County lies within West Virginia's 2nd congressional district. The current representative of the district is Alex Mooney (R).

Tucker County was divided at the time of the Virginia Secession Convention, ^[25] and has been a consistent statewide bellwether, voting for the winner of West Virginia's electoral votes in every presidential election since the state's formation, except that of 1912, when it voted for Theodore Roosevelt. ^[26]

Voter Registration and Party Enrollment of Tucker County [27]
Party		Total	Percentage
	Democratic	1,578	31.22%
	Republican	1,777	35.15%
	Independents, unaffiliated, and other	1,700	33.15%
Total		5,055	100.00%

United States presidential election results for Tucker County, West Virginia ^[28]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	2,841	73.89%	938	24.40%	66	1.72%
2016	2,565	73.26%	751	21.45%	185	5.28%
2012	2,176	69.34%	880	28.04%	82	2.61%
2008	2,123	60.54%	1,288	36.73%	96	2.74%
2004	2,179	60.53%	1,400	38.89%	21	0.58%
2000	1,935	57.83%	1,319	39.42%	92	2.75%
1996	1,217	36.75%	1,649	49.79%	446	13.47%
1992	1,261	34.79%	1,805	49.79%	559	15.42%
1988	1,699	47.50%	1,869	52.25%	9	0.25%
1984	2,240	55.80%	1,766	44.00%	8	0.20%
1980	1,798	46.64%	1,862	48.30%	195	5.06%
1976	1,396	37.54%	2,323	62.46%	0	0.00%
1972	2,163	59.75%	1,457	40.25%	0	0.00%
1968	1,511	41.96%	1,758	48.82%	332	9.22%
1964	1,314	33.03%	2,664	66.97%	0	0.00%
1960	1,887	47.45%	2,090	52.55%	0	0.00%
1956	2,326	52.21%	2,129	47.79%	0	0.00%
1952	2,235	46.45%	2,577	53.55%	0	0.00%
1948	2,102	44.79%	2,557	54.49%	34	0.72%
1944	2,220	45.37%	2,673	54.63%	0	0.00%
1940	2,654	44.34%	3,332	55.66%	0	0.00%
1936	2,335	37.85%	3,801	61.61%	33	0.53%
1932	2,204	39.71%	3,244	58.45%	102	1.84%
1928	2,525	51.83%	2,263	46.45%	84	1.72%
1924	2,277	45.61%	2,127	42.61%	588	11.78%
1920	2,498	53.34%	1,961	41.87%	224	4.78%
1916	1,531	49.76%	1,388	45.11%	158	5.13%
1912	548	16.67%	1,221	37.15%	1,518	46.18%

State Politics

Tucker County is represented by two Senators in the West Virginia Senate. Senate members Jay Taylor (R), and Randy Smith (R) both serve in West Virginia's 14th Senate district. ^[29] The county is represented in the West Virginia House of Delegates by one Delegate. The Delegate for Tucker County is John Paul Hott (R) for district 85 ^[30]

County government

Tucker County is governed by a County Commission. The commission is made up of the Commission President and Commissioners whom wield administrative powers of the county's government. Michael Rosenau (D) is the current President of the County Commission.

The Tucker County Commission consists of two members. The current members of the County Commission are Fred Davis and Tim Knotts (R). ^[31]

Communities

Cities

• Parsons (county seat)
• Thomas

Towns

• Davis
• Hambleton
• Hendricks

Magisterial districts

• Black Fork
• Clover
• Davis
• Dry Fork
• Fairfax
• Licking
• St. George

Census-designated place

• St. George

Unincorporated communities

• Auvil
• Benbush
• Bretz
• Canaan Heights
• Coketon
• Cortland
• Douglas
• Dryfork
• Elk
• Gladwin
• Hannahsville
• Holly Meadows
• Hovatter
• Jenningston
• Laneville
• Lead Mine
• Location
• Mackeyville
• Moore
• Pierce
• Pleasant Run
• Pleasant Vale
• Porterwood
• Red Creek
• Shafer
• William

Notable residents

• Tony Tonelli, football player. Tonelli, who was shunned by the West Virginia University football program because of his Italian heritage, became a three-time letterman for the USC Trojans. ^[32] In his final season Tonelli blocked a punt deep in Duke territory that led to the winning touchdown in the 1939 Rose Bowl. ^[33] The first player ever to be drafted into the NFL from USC, Tonelli completed one season with the Detroit Lions in 1939. ^{[34] [35]} He earned his nickname, "Two Ton" Tonelli, while growing up in Thomas, West Virginia.

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Tucker County, West Virginia
• Tucker County Seat War

References

Specific

1. "2020 General Election Results: Tucker County". WBOY-TV. November 4, 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
2. "Tucker County voters reject ambulance levy". WBOY-TV. November 9, 2022. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
3. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
4. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
5. "Tucker County WVGenWeb Page, accessed August 25, 2006". Rootsweb.com. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
6. "West Virginia Division of Culture and History - Tucker County History web page, accessed August 25, 2006". Archived from the original on February 20, 2010. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
7. "Origins of West Virginia Place Names web site, accessed August 25, 2006". Archived from the original on February 24, 2008. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
8. Otis K. Rice & Stephen W. Brown, West Virginia: A History, 2nd ed., University Press of Kentucky, Lexington (1993), p. 240.
9. United States Census Bureau, U.S. Decennial Census, Tables of Minor Civil Divisions in West Virginia, 1870–2010.
10. "Tucker County History - The Tucker County Seat" . Retrieved April 11, 2014.
11. "Living Places - Tucker County Courthouse and Jail" . Retrieved April 11, 2014.
12. "On This Day in West Virginia History - August 1". Archive.wvculture.org. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
13. Brooks, Maurice (1965), The Appalachians (Series: The Naturalist's America), Illustrated by Lois Darling and Lo Brooks, Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, pp 127-128.
14. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
15. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021" . Retrieved October 19, 2022.
16. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
17. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
18. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
19. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
20. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
21. "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
22. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
23. "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
24. "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
25. Hinkle, Harlan H.; Grayback Mountaineers: The Confederate Face Of Western Virginia, p. 203 ISBN   0595268404
26. Menendez, Albert J.; The Geography of Presidential Elections in the United States, 1868-2004, pp. 334-337 ISBN   0786422173
27. "West Virginia Voter Registration" (PDF). West Virginia Secretary of State. July 31, 2023. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
28. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
29. "Senate District Map". West Virginia Legislature.
30. . "House Select Committee on Redistricting" (PDF). West Virginia Legislature.
31. "County Commission". Tucker County Commission.
32. "University of Southern California Official Athletic Site - Football". Archived from the original on January 14, 2014. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
33. "Former Trojan Tony Tonelli Dies". Los Angeles Times. February 1, 1987.
34. "Trojans annually dominate NFL draft". Daily Trojan. February 23, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
35. "Tony Tonelli Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 13, 2021.

General

• Fansler, Homer Floyd (1962), History of Tucker County, West Virginia, Parsons, West Virginia: McClain Printing Company.
• Maxwell, Hu, History of Tucker County, West Virginia, from the Earliest Explorations and Settlements to the Present Time; with Biographical Sketches of more than Two Hundred and Fifty of the Leading Men, and a Full Appendix of Official and Electoral History; Also, an Account of the Rivers, Forests and Caves of the County, Preston Publishing Company: Kingwood, West Virginia, 1884. (Reprinted by McClain Printing Company, Parsons, W.Va., 1971 and 1993.)

External links

• Media related to Tucker County, West Virginia at Wikimedia Commons