Shinnston, West Virginia
Encyclopedia
Shinnston is a city in Harrison County
, West Virginia
, United States
, along the West Fork River
. The population was 2,295 at the 2000 census.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 1.7 square miles (4.5 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 2,295 people, 982 households, and 657 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,330.8 people per square mile (515.2/km²). There were 1,103 housing units at an average density of 639.6 per square mile (247.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.39% White, 0.26% African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.04% from other races
, and 0.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.22% of the population.
There were 982 households out of which 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.4% were married couples
living together, 11.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.0% were non-families. 30.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.90.
In the city the population was spread out with 20.9% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 19.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 88.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $26,786, and the median income for a family was $38,207. Males had a median income of $29,609 versus $20,156 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $16,352. About 14.2% of families and 18.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.8% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over.
, which hit the Midwest and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States on June 22–23, 1944. It was and still remains the worst tornado outbreak ever to hit the state of West Virginia.
Harrison County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 68,652 people, 27,867 households, and 19,088 families residing in the county. The population density was 165 people per square mile . There were 31,112 housing units at an average density of 75 per square mile...
, West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, along the West Fork River
West Fork River
The West Fork River is a principal tributary of the Monongahela River, 103 miles long, in north-central West Virginia in the United States...
. The population was 2,295 at the 2000 census.
Geography
Shinnston is located at 39°23′39"N 80°18′1"W (39.394030, -80.300273).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 1.7 square miles (4.5 km²), all of it land.
Transportation
-
U.S. Highway 19 -
West Virginia Route 20 -
West Virginia Route 131
Landmarks
- The Levi Shinn log house, The Levi Shinn log house is the oldest standing structure in North Central West Virginia at over 229 years old. The house, which still stands today along US Route 19, is maintained by the Shinnston Historical Association and is sometimes open to the public.
- Ferguson Memorial Park
- West Fork River trail
- Bice-Ferguson Memorial Museum
- Clay District Veterans Memorial
- Lincoln High School
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 2,295 people, 982 households, and 657 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,330.8 people per square mile (515.2/km²). There were 1,103 housing units at an average density of 639.6 per square mile (247.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.39% White, 0.26% African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.04% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.22% of the population.
There were 982 households out of which 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.4% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 11.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.0% were non-families. 30.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.90.
In the city the population was spread out with 20.9% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 19.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 88.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $26,786, and the median income for a family was $38,207. Males had a median income of $29,609 versus $20,156 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $16,352. About 14.2% of families and 18.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.8% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over.
History
- The settlement of Shinnston dates to the 1778 building of Levi Shinn's log houseLevi Shinn HouseLevi Shinn House is a historic home located at Shinnston, Harrison County, West Virginia. It is a log dwelling built in 1778, and measuring 37 feet long and 20 feet deep. It features a large interior chimney, providing fireplaces for several of the interior rooms. It is the oldest standing house...
, whom the area was named after. It was listed on the National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic PlacesThe National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1973.
- In 1815, the town was laid out with three streets running parallel with the river and with four crossing streets running at right angles to them.
- The town was incorporated in 1852 as Shinn's Town by an act of the Virginia Legislature, as West Virginia did not yet exist as an independent state, and Solomon S. Fleming was elected the first mayor.
- A new charter was secured in 1877 and the Town's name changed to Shinnston.
- In 1915, Shinnston's Charter provided for a Mayor-Council form of government. This model remained in place for over 70 years and in 1998 the citizens voted to revise the Charter and adopt a City Manager-Council form of local government. That model was implemented on July 1, 1998 and Shinnston now has its fourth City Manager.
- In the its beginnings the town was built around both Grain Mills and Saw Mills. In its early the years the town saw the development of a tanneryTanningTanning is the making of leather from the skins of animals which does not easily decompose. Traditionally, tanning used tannin, an acidic chemical compound from which the tanning process draws its name . Coloring may occur during tanning...
, wagon makers and undertaker, mercantile interests, a potteryPotteryPottery is the material from which the potteryware is made, of which major types include earthenware, stoneware and porcelain. The place where such wares are made is also called a pottery . Pottery also refers to the art or craft of the potter or the manufacture of pottery...
, and a local newspaperNewspaperA newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
.
- The first Bank began in 1899.
- The railroad came to Shinnston in 1890.
- A trolley operated from 1906 to 1947.
- The first church was organized in 1786 and met in various homes in the community until 1835, when the first church building was erected.
- The first school was organized in 1813 with classes taught in a small log cabin. In 1860 a larger building was constructed for use as a town hall and academy. This venture became the first public school in 1865. The first grade school was created in 1895 and Shinnston High School was added to it in 1907. In 1978, Shinnston and Lumberport High Schools were combined to form Lincoln High School.
- The Shinnston Historic DistrictShinnston Historic DistrictShinnston Historic District is a national historic district located at Shinnston, Harrison County, West Virginia. The district encompasses 143 contributing buildings in the central business district and surrounding residential areas of Shinnston. The major influence on the town's development was...
was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998.
June 1944 Tornado
Shinnston was almost completely destroyed by a violent tornado before 9:00 PM EDT on June 23, 1944, during the 1944 Appalachians tornado outbreak1944 Appalachians tornado outbreak
The 1944 Appalachians tornado outbreak was a deadly tornado outbreak that hit the Midwest and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States on June 22–23, 1944. Particularly hard hit was the town of Shinnston, West Virginia in Harrison County which was completely destroyed by a violent tornado...
, which hit the Midwest and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States on June 22–23, 1944. It was and still remains the worst tornado outbreak ever to hit the state of West Virginia.
Notable natives
- Dick BrownDick Brown (baseball)Richard Ernest Brown was a catcher in American Major League Baseball during the 1950s and 1960s. The native of Shinnston, West Virginia, attended Florida State University and batted and threw right-handed...
, catcher in American Major League Baseball during the 1950s and 1960s. - Larry Brown, Major League Baseball infielder who played from 1963 to 1974.
- Brian Parrish, Programmer who revolutionized the software development industry with his controversial thinking.
- John McKayJohn McKay (football coach)John Harvey McKay was an American football player and coach. He was served as the head coach at the University of Southern California from 1960 to 1975 and of the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1976 to 1984. In 16 seasons with the USC Trojans, McKay compiled a record of 127–40–8 and...
, (USC Trojans football, 1960–75 and Tampa Bay BuccaneersTampa Bay BuccaneersThe Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
, 1976–84) was not born in, but, grew up in Shinnston and graduated from Shinnston High School.