West Virginia Facts #2
Almost Heaven Saunas would like to give you another list of facts you might not know about West Virginia. As the number one maker of Barrel Sauna Kits and Cedar Saunas in the world, we are proud of the fact that we are a thirty plus year old U.S. manufacturer!
Here, then, are some West Virginia facts:
The New River Gorge Bridge near Fayetteville is the second highest steel arch bridge in the United States. The bridge is also the longest steel arch bridge (1,700 feet) in the world. Every October on Bridge Day, the road is closed and individuals parachute and bungee cord jump 876 feet off the bridge. Its West Virginia’s largest single day event and attracts about 100,000 people each year.
The first major land battle fought between Union and Confederate soldiers in the Civil War was the Battle of Philippi on June 3, 1861.
One of the nation’s oldest and largest Indian burial grounds is located in Moundsville. Its 69 feet high, 900 feet in circumference, and 50 feet high. An inscribed stone was removed from the vault and is on display at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.
West Virginia’s nickname is the Mountain State and its motto is “Mountaineers Are Always Free.”
Some famous individuals from West Virginia include: Pearl Buck (author), Peter Marshall (television host), Chuck Yeager (test pilot /Air Force General), Don Knotts (actor), Mary Lou Retton (Olympic gold medallist for gymnastics), and Kathy Mattea (country music singer).
Nearly 75% of West Virginia is covered by forests.
West Virginia covers about 24,000 square miles and has a population of about 1.8 million.
15% of the nation’s total coal production comes from West Virginia.
According to the crime index for 1997, West Virginia had the lowest crime rate in the country.
West Virginia’s Memorial Tunnel was the first in the nation to be monitored by television. It opened November 8, 1954
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