Marion County

Prickett's Fort is now a popular state park. ( Photo courtesy W.Va. Department of Tourism)

The settlers came to what is now Marion County following the French and Indian Wars. During the Indian raids of 1774 the residents were forced to to abandon their homes, They erected a stockade and fort at the settlement of Jacob Prickett. Prickett's Fort is now a state park in the county.

The county was created in 1842 form parts of Monongalia and Harrison counties and is named in honor of General Francis Marion.

Large scale coal operations began in the county in the 1880s and continue today. The county was the site of on of the worst coal mine disasters in US history on Dec. 6, 1907. 361 miners died in an underground explosion.

Fairmont, the county seat, is also home to Fairmont State College

Source: The 55 West Virginias: A guide to the State's Counties, by E. Lee North, Published by The West Virginia University Press.

Population: 56,598
Land in square miles: 310
Number of people per square mile: 182.8
More facts from the 2000 Census